Hernani

Victor Hugo

Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.5 stars; 3 reviews)

First performed in 1830, this was once described as a play on which the "romantic school centered its hopes". The Classicists at the time felt that this play was a threat to everything they deemed important in literature. Set in 16th century Spain, Hernani is a tale of romance and intrigue.

Described in 1912 thusly: "The performance was permitted, so tradition says, in the expectation that the play would discredit the romantic school once and for all. The principal actress, Mlle. Mars, was outraged by Hugo’s imagery, and refused point blank to call Firmin [actor] her ‘lion, superb and generous.’ A goodly claque, drawn from the ateliers and salons, brought the play to an overwhelming triumph, and for fifteen years the dominance of the romantic school was indisputable." ... and "Hernani passes from one cataclysmic experience to another; the whole of life seems to depend on the blowing of a hunting horn.".

This play inspired the opera "Ernani" by Giuseppe Verdi, premiered in 1844. - Summary by Jake Malizia

Cast list:
Hernani: Greg Giordano
Don Carlos: Jake Malizia
Don Ruy Gomez de Silva: Alan Mapstone
Doña Sol de Silva: Jenn Broda
The King of Bohemia: Algy Pug
The Duke of Bavaria: James R. Hedrick
The Duke of Gotha: Michael Broomhill
The Duke of Lutzelbourg: redrun
Don Sancho : Adrian Stephens
Don Mathias: John Payton
Don Ricardo: Larry Wilson
Don Garcie Suarez: James R. Hedrick
Don Francisco: Andrew Gaunce
Don Juan de Haro: KHand
Don Gil Tellez Giron: Sandra Schmit
Doña Josefa Duarte: Lynette Caulkins
A Mountaineer: ToddHW
A Lady: Michele Eaton
First Conspirator: Adrian Stephens
Second Conspirator: John Payton
Third Conspirator: Andrew Gaunce
A Conspirator: ToddHW
The Page: James R. Hedrick
Stage Directions: Sonia
Editing: ToddHW
(3 hr 31 min)