La Favorite

Numerous myths surround the historical figure of Léonore de Guzman, mistress of King Alfons XI of Castile, who becomes embroiled within an intrigue-laced political power play. Perfect opera material, therefore, and snapped up all too gladly by Gaetano Donizetti, who transformed it into a French grand opéra for Paris in 1840. Donizetti never again produced such uncompromisingly forlorn and pessimistic material. Interestingly, though, the opera's title character has very little in common with the historical figure.

Léonore's love for the King is revealed in the opera to be a farce. She does not hesitate for long, before flinging herself upon the young Fernand, who, for her sake, has eschewed the life of a monk in Santiago de Compostela. Yet, he is unaware of her status as a mistress, thus allowing the pair to all too easily become victims of a conspiratorial power play between church and state. At the end, the couple are denied even the hope of a better future together after death. Léonore dies and, while Fernand does remain at the monastery, the opera provides the characters with little understanding of God and redemption.