Introduction: The Solisti submission for @Annie_Short 's Imperial Court Prestige Event was the synopsis of a Dressolini opera, earning the prestige of winning honorable mention in the Emperor's evaluation. The story is presented in three acts, telling of the turbulent life of politician Giove Tiano. It's a tale of enduring tragedy while staying true to one's principles, and learning to rely on your allies and religion to prevail in the end. You can likely identify many or all of the characters through clues on the Solisti family and knowledge of old events. If you would like confirmation on solving the identity of characters or events portrayed within, feel free to inquire in-character. Without further ado - enjoy!
ROLES - in order of introduction
Giove Tiano, a politician - baritone
Allora Leuva, a local artist - soprano
Gorgo, a father figure - bass
Reana Mipona, a noblewoman - soprano
Venutia the High, a judge - tenor
A Knight - tenor
Bellagio, son of Giove - tenor
Terra, a cook - boy soprano
SETTING
City of Regalia - around the turn of the century
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Giove Tiano, a politician of middling renown, is found drunk, slinging insults at the other patrons of wherever he might find himself on this evening. Surprisingly unable to find a fight, he stumbled on his way, singing of his distant love, Allora Leuva.
Leuva is at home far across the archipelago, singing of her loneliness. She fears for the war that comes, and what it will mean for her love. She knows that her Empire will prevail, but at what cost - what will it mean for the lives of her young children. She finishes with a prayer to the Spirit.
Gorgo and Tiano are seen together, a dichotomy of perspective on war. The older knows his duty, but realizes the cost. The younger disrespects his authority, and revels at the possible gain. Reana Mipona enters, eager to engage in the news of the situation with her peers. Her family would remain in the city and thus unaffected, her voice joined alongside Tiano's in excitement. Gorgo departs in resignation, knowing he would not convince them.
The young pair share their stories; Tiano's recent ancestors had been raised to nobility, and he left to represent them as a star on the rise. Mipona's family had long been ennobled, and she was left to reap the benefits as a rich and bored heiress. The two would blossom in romantic feelings, but Mipona's invitation to wine was cut short by Tiano, for fear he might be seen as an adulterer. She countered, knowing that he had but one wife, and room for a second. He praised her appreciation for his culture's nuances, but held back, telling that his devotion was not so easily won. They depart separately.
When Tiano reappears, his visage is considerably changed. He laments the cost of the war - he has gained and prospered in the city, yet Gorgo has perished. To honor the legacy of his old friend, he vows to learn from his mistakes and rise to Gorgo's legacy, declaring to become a General in his own right. Tiano calls for his wife, and Mopina enters. They sing again of dreams of the future, with the tone remaining self-centered, yet they consider themselves to be heroes of selflessness in their new goals.
Act II
Tiano is found in the pews of the Cathedral, youthful charm now replaced by zealous anger. He calls back to the names of his lost allies, the memory of Gorgo gone too soon in pursuit of duty, the memory of Leuva lost to the trials of the city, and moving to speak of the memory of Mopina yet stopping after only mentioning her name. He resolves that he must honor the legacy of the lost by carrying their principles into the future.
Mopina appears in funeral garb, distinctly separate from Tiano. She tells a story of loss of husband and loss of mother figure, specifically lamenting the disappearance of her grandmother Elina, and the mystery around any culprits. This is paired with Tiano's own lament of the loss of his first ally, and a determination to see justice prevail. Mopina exits, and Tiano cries to the Spirit, asking for his duty to be revealed to him.
Venutia the High enters, joining Tiano in his pew. She appeals to his sense of justice, and with her own background as a judge, swears to see their will done. Tiano responds, questioning how she can be so certain in a time of great mystery, to which she answers that she knows power is coming - it only needs to be wielded appropriately. Both exit to discuss further.
Tiano sits in a lounge, reading from a proclamation that he is the newly appointed Royal Armsman, and continues to read that Venutia has been chosen as the Keeper of Laws. Venutia joins him, praising herself for her knowledge of all things. Tiano is skeptical, asking that if she knew all, what of the mystery around Elina's disappearance? Venutia continues her song on knowing all, and that she saw fit to wield her power appropriately, exiting.
Tiano questions the departure and its implications. Could she have had a role in his ally's vanishing, and for what cause? Was there a cause that could justify the now highest judge in the lands to take such an action? Tiano cried out for answers from the Spirit, asking if this was the duty for his path. What power did he have to accomplish this duty? He repeated Venutia's words, knowing that he must use what he had to honor his principles. He had to find the truth, to find justice. He departed, resolved but leaving his methods unspoken.
Venutia is present alone, donned in judicial robes. She tells the tale of a plot defeated, of a noble judge who was rescued from capture. The accused stood trial, their guilt affirmed, and the punishment laid forth: all four houses were cast from nobility, the name Tiano listed among them.
Act III
A nameless Knight enters, confessing their place in society. They may not be known, and possess no Imperial Respect, but that doesn't mean they can accept less. They must be diligent in their pursuit of self-betterment so that they might become an icon of justice, but they also must keep mercy and humility in their heart and alms leaving their hands, so that they might not grow to be unjust themselves.
The Knight follows this ideology to the tragedy of Tiano, a man who sought to serve his Empire yet was caught in his own snare of self-righteousness. They reveal that ultimately Tiano's suspicions were right - Venutia the High found herself six feet 'low in a matter of months once her quest for power turned outright treasonous. Yet the man remained, an idle and isolated man of principle. Without an Order surrounding him in support, what would become of such a man? The Knight departed to return to their duties.
Leuva returns, older yet unchanged in her presentation. She spun another tale of a distant love, and loss; her son had just been murdered, in the daylight of the Holy City. Yet, a sacred gift of the Dragons surfaced, returning him to the living. Bellagio, son of Giove, enters to embrace his mother. He calls back to that same sense of duty and principle, despite having endured tragedy, that he must continue on the journey that his knighthood and his own upbringing instilled.
Bellagio continued his tale of duty's calling, revealing other news from the city. His father Tiano had returned to the ranks of nobility, a newly branded identity so that he might make a new legacy for himself and his family. Terra, a young cook from the city, enters, adding their voice to the chorus of praise for the romantic tale. Terra proclaimed the news, such joyous news. A man whose truth led him astray returned flanked by the minds and integrity of his family. It was a greater truth than merely ennobling one man; it spoke of justice prevailing, of honor seemingly lost, yet found. The tale of Tiano, the tale of perso e trovato.
Leuva and Bellagio join Terra in their repetition of these greater truths, her voice praising the Spirit as Terra praised the Imperial Dragon. Bellagio proclaimed that all had a hand in this righteousness, united together in the Holy Empire.
Perso e Trovato
ROLES - in order of introduction
Giove Tiano, a politician - baritone
Allora Leuva, a local artist - soprano
Gorgo, a father figure - bass
Reana Mipona, a noblewoman - soprano
Venutia the High, a judge - tenor
A Knight - tenor
Bellagio, son of Giove - tenor
Terra, a cook - boy soprano
SETTING
City of Regalia - around the turn of the century
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Giove Tiano, a politician of middling renown, is found drunk, slinging insults at the other patrons of wherever he might find himself on this evening. Surprisingly unable to find a fight, he stumbled on his way, singing of his distant love, Allora Leuva.
Leuva is at home far across the archipelago, singing of her loneliness. She fears for the war that comes, and what it will mean for her love. She knows that her Empire will prevail, but at what cost - what will it mean for the lives of her young children. She finishes with a prayer to the Spirit.
Gorgo and Tiano are seen together, a dichotomy of perspective on war. The older knows his duty, but realizes the cost. The younger disrespects his authority, and revels at the possible gain. Reana Mipona enters, eager to engage in the news of the situation with her peers. Her family would remain in the city and thus unaffected, her voice joined alongside Tiano's in excitement. Gorgo departs in resignation, knowing he would not convince them.
The young pair share their stories; Tiano's recent ancestors had been raised to nobility, and he left to represent them as a star on the rise. Mipona's family had long been ennobled, and she was left to reap the benefits as a rich and bored heiress. The two would blossom in romantic feelings, but Mipona's invitation to wine was cut short by Tiano, for fear he might be seen as an adulterer. She countered, knowing that he had but one wife, and room for a second. He praised her appreciation for his culture's nuances, but held back, telling that his devotion was not so easily won. They depart separately.
When Tiano reappears, his visage is considerably changed. He laments the cost of the war - he has gained and prospered in the city, yet Gorgo has perished. To honor the legacy of his old friend, he vows to learn from his mistakes and rise to Gorgo's legacy, declaring to become a General in his own right. Tiano calls for his wife, and Mopina enters. They sing again of dreams of the future, with the tone remaining self-centered, yet they consider themselves to be heroes of selflessness in their new goals.
Act II
Tiano is found in the pews of the Cathedral, youthful charm now replaced by zealous anger. He calls back to the names of his lost allies, the memory of Gorgo gone too soon in pursuit of duty, the memory of Leuva lost to the trials of the city, and moving to speak of the memory of Mopina yet stopping after only mentioning her name. He resolves that he must honor the legacy of the lost by carrying their principles into the future.
Mopina appears in funeral garb, distinctly separate from Tiano. She tells a story of loss of husband and loss of mother figure, specifically lamenting the disappearance of her grandmother Elina, and the mystery around any culprits. This is paired with Tiano's own lament of the loss of his first ally, and a determination to see justice prevail. Mopina exits, and Tiano cries to the Spirit, asking for his duty to be revealed to him.
Venutia the High enters, joining Tiano in his pew. She appeals to his sense of justice, and with her own background as a judge, swears to see their will done. Tiano responds, questioning how she can be so certain in a time of great mystery, to which she answers that she knows power is coming - it only needs to be wielded appropriately. Both exit to discuss further.
Tiano sits in a lounge, reading from a proclamation that he is the newly appointed Royal Armsman, and continues to read that Venutia has been chosen as the Keeper of Laws. Venutia joins him, praising herself for her knowledge of all things. Tiano is skeptical, asking that if she knew all, what of the mystery around Elina's disappearance? Venutia continues her song on knowing all, and that she saw fit to wield her power appropriately, exiting.
Tiano questions the departure and its implications. Could she have had a role in his ally's vanishing, and for what cause? Was there a cause that could justify the now highest judge in the lands to take such an action? Tiano cried out for answers from the Spirit, asking if this was the duty for his path. What power did he have to accomplish this duty? He repeated Venutia's words, knowing that he must use what he had to honor his principles. He had to find the truth, to find justice. He departed, resolved but leaving his methods unspoken.
Venutia is present alone, donned in judicial robes. She tells the tale of a plot defeated, of a noble judge who was rescued from capture. The accused stood trial, their guilt affirmed, and the punishment laid forth: all four houses were cast from nobility, the name Tiano listed among them.
Act III
A nameless Knight enters, confessing their place in society. They may not be known, and possess no Imperial Respect, but that doesn't mean they can accept less. They must be diligent in their pursuit of self-betterment so that they might become an icon of justice, but they also must keep mercy and humility in their heart and alms leaving their hands, so that they might not grow to be unjust themselves.
The Knight follows this ideology to the tragedy of Tiano, a man who sought to serve his Empire yet was caught in his own snare of self-righteousness. They reveal that ultimately Tiano's suspicions were right - Venutia the High found herself six feet 'low in a matter of months once her quest for power turned outright treasonous. Yet the man remained, an idle and isolated man of principle. Without an Order surrounding him in support, what would become of such a man? The Knight departed to return to their duties.
Leuva returns, older yet unchanged in her presentation. She spun another tale of a distant love, and loss; her son had just been murdered, in the daylight of the Holy City. Yet, a sacred gift of the Dragons surfaced, returning him to the living. Bellagio, son of Giove, enters to embrace his mother. He calls back to that same sense of duty and principle, despite having endured tragedy, that he must continue on the journey that his knighthood and his own upbringing instilled.
Bellagio continued his tale of duty's calling, revealing other news from the city. His father Tiano had returned to the ranks of nobility, a newly branded identity so that he might make a new legacy for himself and his family. Terra, a young cook from the city, enters, adding their voice to the chorus of praise for the romantic tale. Terra proclaimed the news, such joyous news. A man whose truth led him astray returned flanked by the minds and integrity of his family. It was a greater truth than merely ennobling one man; it spoke of justice prevailing, of honor seemingly lost, yet found. The tale of Tiano, the tale of perso e trovato.
Leuva and Bellagio join Terra in their repetition of these greater truths, her voice praising the Spirit as Terra praised the Imperial Dragon. Bellagio proclaimed that all had a hand in this righteousness, united together in the Holy Empire.
