Opera Guide and Synopsis: The Love for Three Oranges, by Sergei Prokofiev

The Love for Three Oranges (Lyubov k Trem Apelsinam) is a Russian opera by Sergei Prokofiev. The libretto, written by the composer, was based on an eighteenth century play by Carlo Gozzi, which was itself based on an Italian folk tale. Gozzi's play satirized his fellow playwrights of the time, and in turn Prokofiev's music satirizes the work of popular nineteenth century opera composers such as Giuseppe Verdi. It premiered in Chicago, conducted by the composer, on December 30, 1921.

Characters in The Love for Three Oranges

• The King of Clubs (Bass)
• The Prince, his son (Tenor)
• Princess Clarissa, the Prince's cousin (Contralto)
• Leandro, the Prime Minister (Baritone)
• Truffaldino, the court jester (Tenor)
• Pantaloon, the King's advisor (Baritone)
• Celio, a magician (Bass)
• Fata Morgana, a witch (Soprano)
• Smeraldina, her servant (Mezzo-soprano)
• Linetta, a princess (Contralto)
• Nicoletta, a princess (Mezzo-soprano)
• Ninetta, a princess (Soprano)
• Cook (Bass)
• Farfallo, a demon (Bass)
• Herald (Bass)
  

Synopsis of The Love for Three Oranges

The story takes place in a magical kingdom.

Prologue

A group of spectators argue over what should be the subject of the play should be. The Herald announces that the play will be about a Prince who cannot laugh.

Act I

Scene 1-Palace of the King of Clubs

The King's medical advisors determine that the Prince has hypochondria and that his condition is incurable. The King worries about what will happen to his kingdom should the Prince be unable to rule. Truffaldino is instructed to make the Prince laugh. Leandro objects to the plan, and Pantaloon accuses him of being a traitor.

Scene 2-Before a Curtain with Cabalistic Signs

Celio plays Fata Morgana at cards and loses.

Scene 3-Palace

Clarissa, who is next in line for the throne should the Prince die, has promised to marry Leandro if he helps her remove the competition. They plan to feed him bland food and give him dull reading materials. They discover Smeraldina eavesdropping; she assures them that Fata Morgana is on their side and will help prevent the Prince from laughing.

Act II

Scene 1-The Prince's Quarters

Truffaldino attempts to amuse the Prince, but the Prince will not laugh. In the hopes that the Festival will make the Prince laugh, Truffaldino literally carries him away.

Scene 2-Palace Courtyard

Truffaldino's attempts to make the Prince laugh still fall flat. But when the jester attempts to remove Fata Morgana from the Festival, she turns a somersault, and the Prince starts laughing. Enraged, Fata Morgana curses him to forever be in love with three oranges.

Act III

Scene 1-Desert

The Prince and Truffaldino have pursued the three oranges to the palace of an evil witch, Creonte, with the help of the demon Farfallo. Celio attempts to stop Farfallo, but has no more magic since he lost to Fata Morgana at cards. He warns the Prince, however, that the oranges are being held by a cook with a deadly ladle, and offers him a ribbon to distract the cook.

Scene 2-Creonte's Palace

The Cook threatens Truffaldino with her ladle, but is distracted by the ribbon. The Prince sneaks into the kitchen and escapes with the three enormous oranges.

Scene 3-Desert

While the Prince sleeps, Truffaldino, who is thirsty, opens two of the oranges, revealing beautiful princesses who almost immediately die of thirst. Truffaldino runs away. When the Prince awakes, he sees soldiers walking by and orders them to give the princesses a funeral.

In love with the third orange, he opens it to reveal the Princess Ninetta. She, too, is dying of thirst, and so the Spectators offer her water. They return to the Palace of the King and announce that they will marry.

Smeraldina turns the Princess into a rat (or a pigeon) and impersonates her. The Prince realizes the deception, but the King insists that the wedding must go on.

Act IV

Scene 1-Before a Curtain with Cabalistic Signs

Fata Morgana and Celio argue until the Spectators catch Fata Morgana and shut her in a box.

Scene 2-Throne Room

Celio manages to transform Ninetta back into a human. Smeraldina, Leandro and Clarissa are accused of treachery and about to be executed, but Fata Morgana springs up through a trap door and drags them away. The Prince and Princess live happily ever after.

Source:

• Simon, Henry W. 100 Great Operas and Their Stories. Garden City: Dolphin, 1960.