Ernani facts for kids

Ernani is a thrilling Italian opera in four acts by the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi. An opera is like a play where all the words are sung, usually with an orchestra playing music. The story for Ernani comes from a play called Hernani by Victor Hugo, a well-known French writer. The words for the opera (called the libretto) were written by Francesco Maria Piave. Ernani was first performed in Venice, Italy, on March 9, 1844, and it was a big success!

Meet the Main Characters

In Ernani, you'll meet a few important characters, each with a special singing voice:

• Ernani - He's a noble bandit, sung by a tenor (a high male voice).
• Elvira - The woman Ernani loves, sung by a soprano (a high female voice).
• Don Carlo - The King of Spain, sung by a baritone (a middle-range male voice).
• Don Ruy Gómez de Silva - An old nobleman, sung by a bass (a low male voice).

The Exciting Story of Ernani

The story of Ernani is full of adventure, love, and honor. It takes place in Spain and Germany in the year 1519.

A Love Triangle and a King

The opera starts with Ernani, who is actually a nobleman in disguise, leading a group of bandits. He is deeply in love with Elvira. But Elvira is also loved by her much older uncle, Don Ruy Gómez de Silva, whom she is supposed to marry. To make things even more complicated, King Don Carlo of Spain is also in love with Elvira!

Promises and Dangers

Ernani tries to run away with Elvira, but the King and Silva both get in their way. Ernani finds himself in many dangerous situations. At one point, he is hiding in Silva's castle. When the King demands that Silva hand over Ernani, Silva refuses, showing his strong sense of honor.

A Deadly Promise

To thank Silva for protecting him, Ernani makes a serious promise. He gives Silva a hunting horn and says that whenever Silva blows the horn, Ernani will take his own life. This promise becomes very important later in the story.

A New King and Forgiveness

The story moves to Aachen, Germany, where Don Carlo is about to be crowned the new Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. He decides to forgive Ernani and Elvira, allowing them to be together. Everyone is happy, and it seems like the dangers are over.

The Tragic Ending

Ernani and Elvira are finally getting married, and they are very happy. But then, they hear the sound of a hunting horn. It's Silva, blowing the horn to remind Ernani of his promise! Silva feels that Ernani dishonored him by loving Elvira. Even though Elvira begs him to stop, Ernani feels he must keep his word. Sadly, Ernani takes his own life, and Elvira is heartbroken.

Images for kids

• 

  Giuseppe Verdi

• 

  Act 1, sc. 1 of Hernani: the king steps from the cupboard to confront Hernani and Doña Sol (Elvira)

• 

  Ernani (tenore), costume design for Ernani act 3 (1881).

• 

  Antonio Selva, the first Silva

• 

  Sophie Löwe, the first Elvira

• 

  Carlo Guasco, the first Ernani

• 

  Francesco Maria Piave, the librettist of the opera

• 

  Scene from Hugo's play: Ernani seeks shelter

• 

  Shrine of Charles at Aachen.

See also

In Spanish: Ernani para niños