So Swept the Mountain Wind
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| So Swept the Mountain Wind | |
| Script | Paolo C. Giannini |
| Music | Russo Fagioli |
| Production | Republic of La Rossa (Radio La Rossa) Giovanni Sfarzo |
| Broadcast Premiere | 7-9 18 PC |
| Live Premiere | 4-1 21 PC |
| Place Premiered | Mineria, La Rossa |
| Language | Rossan |
| Runtime | 43 minutes 58 minutes (including intermission) |
| Budget | 900,000 argottos (theater) |
| Box Office | 24.7 million argottos (theater) |
So Swept the Mountain Wind (Ros. "Così Spirò il Vento delle Montagne") is a Rossan radio and television opera, originally broadcast on Radio La Rossa in the year 18 PC. A tragedy in three acts, the opera was based off an original script written by Paolo C. Giannini and orchestrated by Russo Fagioli. Telling a story of a mercenary soldier fighting for the Minestrici Family during the conflicts of the Silver Rush of 1296 TT, the opera explores Cassiano, the story's protagonist, and his beloved Astella, whom he leaves behind, on a psychological and character level. It is considered a quintissential piece of post-Denunzian art, subverting heroic stories by portraying an ignoble conflict, unflattering approaches to the island's elite and a tragic but meaningless death of its protagonist. Following the popularity of the original broadcast run, a live version of the opera would be released in 21 PC, performed across the year by most of the original cast in rotation across the island's six major cities.
Plot
So Swept the Mountain Wind narrates the story from two different perspectives, which sometimes overlap. The first viewpoint is that of Cassiano, a mercenary soldier who enlists in the armies of the Minestrici Family in a war against the city-state of Averno. The second is that of Astella Minestrici, a young aristocratic lady with whom Cassiano falls in love. Having kept their affair secret from Astella's parents, they are soon separated by war as Cassiano joins the mercenary forces, hoping to prove himself on the battlefield to earn the respect of her father. The stories of the two largely diverge from this point onward, with the only line of communication between them being the letters the two exchange between each other.
Act One
The opera begins in medias res, at the end of a secret nightly meeting between Cassiano and Astella in the forests outside of Mineria. Being interrupted by the dawn, Astella parts ways with Cassiano, lamenting that she cannot spend more time with him due to the elitism of her Family. Just as she sneaks into her room in her Family's palace, she hears knocking on the door as her father, Corbinus, calls for her. The two hold a conversation about Astella's need to marry, as Mineria is on the verge of establishing a union with Averno, the island's oldest city-state. Rejecting an arranged marriage with Mateo Vedici, son of the leader of Averno, the ensuing spout causes her father to reprimand her, and leave the room. In the meantime, Cassius, nothing more than a street sweeper, sings to himself as he cleans the waste-filled alleys of the city, contrasting his own existence with that of the one he loves. Bumping into her father on accident during his day, the aristocrat quickly picks himself up, speaking in worry as to how the Vedici will respond to the bad news he brings.
Several weeks pass when news of a war with Averno spread through the city as the sun begins to set. A talk with passerbys reveals that a mercenary army begins preparation for a march on the city situated in the mountains of Montesuvia. Recruiters march through the streets, offering great coin to those willing to risk their lives in service of the city. Cassiano meets with Astella beneath her window that night, and they talk about the madness that has swept the city around them. Incidentally, her father opens the doors to her room, prompting Cassiano to hide from his gaze. Corbinus angrily argues with Astella, stating that her pride had led the city of Mineria on a path of war. Refusing to entertain her wishes, he states that the only way the situation can be salvaged in ways that would project strength would lie in marrying a hero of war following the conflict. Astella attempts to object, but her father's world is final.
The following morning, Cassiano finds himself in worry at the thought of giving Astella away to a husband she would not care for nor love. Having had the thought of enlisting into war to satisfy her father's wishes last night, he faces a dilemma of risking his life at the battlefield far away from her, or losing Astella forever. Finally coming to a decision as he passes a military post, he offers to join the mercenary army as quickly as possible, before he could reverse his decision. As he is sent to a military encampment outside of the city, he sends a letter to Astella explaining his decision, to afraid to meet her in person. Upon reading it, Astella weeps and decries Cassiano's selfishness at making such a choice without as much as talking to her, but professes that her love for him does not stop despite the pain he is causing her.
Act Two
In the military camp, Cassiano stands in file as he receives his equipment. The man next to him strikes up a conversation, revealing his name to be Felicius. They speak of their motivations for joining the war effort. Felicius states that the money earns through his service will allow him to start a store, and hopes that one day he will become as wealthy as the Minestricis. Cassiano answers that money does not interest him as much as fame, and that fame only interests him in so far as the father of his beloved recognizes him. As they approach their military commander, Durant, they are reprimanded for speaking during proceedings. Handing them their weapons, Durant transitions into a sung speech targeted towards the troops. With this day, until the day they return, they are to forget about themselves and only think as part of the nation. For many, there awaits death, which they are to take bravely, knowing that their individual sacrifices save the greater whole. With little training, the armies begin marching to the mountaintops.
Astella writes a letter back to Cassiano, sharing her hatred towards him and how much she misses him. Secretly handing the letter to a servant, she stumbles onto her father as he prepares to go on a dinner with the Family patriarchs. Corbinus swiftly apologizes to her for his recent outbursts, saying he shouldn't have treated her as he did, but states that as wealthy nobles, they both have roles to play upon which the fate of the city depends on. Astella, in a spirit of rebelliousness, asks why it is her role that keeps her hands tied, while he as a patriarch is left with the task of all the decision-making. Corbinus states that under a veneer of power lies helplessness, as he has no duty to himself and only to the Family. He truly envies the common folk above all, who at the very least have power over their own lives. He considers himself, and Astella, enslaved to their conduct as aristocrats.
Commander Durant introduces the mountains as a steep and hostile environment while they set up a nightly encampment. As the mountain winds blow stronger, Cassiano begins to holler at his fate as he finally faces it, regretting his past decisions to leave Astella in favor of the isolating cold. His woes begin to subside as he receives a letter, brought by carrier. Understanding the pain she feels in his absence, he asks Felicius for a quill to write back before the carrier rides back. Not having one on him, Felicius offers to help him as the two run around the camp in search of anyone who has brought ink with their belongings. Writing back energetically, he promises Astella that her star will guide him in the mountains so he may never go astray.
Several days pass before Astella receives the letter, hiding it quickly as someone passes through the halls next to her room. Expecting her father, she lets out a sigh of relief upon realization it is nothing but a servant maid. Lying next to her window, she begins a quiet song cursing her fate to be imprisoned in the house she wishes not to belong to. Ruminating on escaping, finding a new life, searching for Cassiano, she defeatedly dismisses all of them, knowing that she is not up to the task, having spent her entire life in decadent luxury. She opens Cassiano's letter, comforted by the knowledge that he is still out there, thinking about her. She makes a call for his safe return.
Rhythmically marching through the mountains, the armies anxiously walk through a canyon. The tension is broken as arrows fly through the air. Running around scattered, Felicius receives an arrow to the abdomen, and falls to the floor. Crying out for help, Durant pushes his troops to return back, and minimize the losses. Cassiano leaves his friend behind, as he slowly loses his breath. Felicius' corpse, among many others, is left to be frozen in the snowy mountains, without ever being returned to their families to be seen one last time before they are buried at sea.
Act Three
Cassiano is overridden by guilt over the death of his brother-in-arms. The commander, Durant, holds a speech, motivating the troops to push on despite recent losses, as the nation they fight for perseveres despite the deaths of their comrades. Cassiano, singing in concurrent monologue, rejects the words of his commander, and speaks of the grief he feels that no nation may fill. As morning comes, the only thought that keeps him comfort is that he may one day return to Astella, even as his faith falters. The armies continue marching to Averno.
Corbinus speaks optimistically of the march on Averno, as he receives reports that the armies of Mineria are on their way to surround the city. His daughter, Astella, enters the room. He shares the new with her, and she asks what that means of her future, now that the marriage with Vedici is no longer being considered. Corbinus stops Astella, stating that she had confused the situation. Not in spite of the war, but because of it, the Minestrici Family has considered marrying Astella off in accordance with their previous arrangement, as a guarantee of peace and in exchange for the city-state's subservience to Mineria. Astella loudly states that it is not her wish to marry that whom she does not love. Corbinus shuts down the conversation, and states his word is final, and the only way to bring upon the end of the war.
Cassiano's military regiment finds itself in a clash with enemy units. In the fierceness of battle, he trips and falls off his footing, tumbling towards the edge of the cliff. With his last strengths, he holds onto the edge of the cliff, and feels his power leaving him as he makes peace with the fall that awaits him. Suddenly, he feels an arm reaching out to him, grabbing it quickly without seeing who it might be. In a daze, he recognizes Felicius, and grabs onto him as he climbs back onto the rock. It is only then that in the young face he realizes he was staring at an enemy soldier, covered in the garments of Averno, sparing him from a death unfit for a warrior. Unsure of what takes hold of him, Cassiano quickly grabs hold of him, and pushes the man over the edge. A wave of guilt washes over him as he hears the man's screams down the fall of the mountain.
Astella rummages through her room, unable to find the letters Cassiano had sent her. Corbinus walks into the room. He knows whom she had exchanged letters with. As Astella protests against him, saying it is Cassiano whom she had always loved, Corbinus angrily asks her to cease her exchange with him, stating that she had fed him a false hope that not even the Family could fulfill. Despite Astella's best attempts, the father tells her it is enough. He forces her to write him one last letter, explaining that their relations have been irrevocably ended. He dictates the words as she sobbingly writes her correspondence.
Cassiano feels immense dread upon having taken another man's life, taking advantage of him after he had saved him from a dishonorable death. Commander Durant explains that tomorrow morning, they are to reach the city of Averno, and that an operation requiring coordination and distraction is the imperative. Hearing the approach of a carrier, Cassiano lightens up, expecting a letter from Astella, only to be crushed by its contents. He breaks down into tears, despising the man he has turned into and the way his life had gone, only for it to be for naught. Durant explains the orders he had been given, and states that a diversion will have to be made in order to shield the group's advances. Knowing it to be highly risky and likely to lead to death, he explains that all of the riches of Averno will be given to those brave enough to put their lives on the line. Cassiano, broken, offers to volunteer.
Cast
So Swept the Mountain Wind saw two major recorded releases. The first, performed for radio in 18 PC, contains only the original singing and voices of the opera, which are used in both release. The second release, produced in 60 PC, sees an accompanying visual film, over which the original opera was dubbed over. The following are the cast members responsible for the original voices as well as portraying the characters in the visual release.
Voice Roles
- Marco Trati as Cassiano (baritone), a mercenary soldier in service of the Minestrici Family and the story's co-protagonist.
- Daniella Bruna as Astella Minestrici di Mineria (soprano), a young Minerian aristocratic lady and the opera's co-protagonist. Despite taking on the name of a famous aristocratic Family, her role is largely fictional, although it is loosely based on existing stories.
- Andrea Maritano as Corbinus Minestrici di Mineria (bass), Astella's father a high-ranking member of the Minestrici family.
- Gianni Gramuglio as Felicius (tenor), a young man in search of riches and Cassiano's fellow-in-arms.
- Luigi Grosso as Durant (bass), the leader of Cassiano's military regiment.
Stage Roles
- Pietro Boticelli as Cassiano.
- Lucrezia Delisatti as Astella Minestrici di Mineria.
- Alekso IV as Corbinus Minestrici di Mineria. More known for his other work, the actor also serves as Reĝo of Tietero.
- Hoyul'l Têlgun as Felicius. The actor is of Tokšahalnan origin.
- Mare Fuoco Rrohu as Durant. The actor is of Kalami origin.
Releases
Original Broadcast
So Swept the Mountain Wind saw its original release on 7-9 18 PC, being broadcasted exclusively on RLR3. Recorded without an audience in the Theater of the House of Minestrici, known for its acoustics, the production saw it as a cost-cutting measure since an actual stage performance did not have to be orchestrated, and the sound could conceivably be broadcasted on the radio forever with little cost. Funded in part by the Rossan government, and in part by Giovanni Sfarzo, a well-known radio producer, So Swept was expected to see a muted release, and was seen as mostly a way to keep the programming of the newly established RLR3 channel engaging without resorting to previous work. The original broadcast did not see a significant amount of listenership, although the rerun the following day far blew expectations. Its critical acclaim spread through word of mouth, and was soon to be seen as a classic among audiences. The opera would be broadcast several more times throughout the following years.
Live Release
Following the success of the original radio opera, a project to bring the radio opera into a theater stage production was soon approved. Approving a budget of 900,000 argottos, to cover expenses of renting out theaters, hiring actors, as well as to fund costume and set design, a stage play tour across the country would begin on 4-1 21 PC, starting in Mineria. Most of the original actors would reprise their roles in the live theater release, although the role of Corbinus Minestrici had to be recast following the tragic death of Andrea Maritano in 20 PC. The live release, the tour of which would go on for the rest of the year, would end up earning a gross total of 24.7 million argottos.
Radiovision Rerelease
In 60 PC, an accompanying film was shot for future broadcasts on Radiovision La Rossa, now transmitting both sound and visuals. The production was praised for its set and costume design, as well as keeping the iconic original singing, dubbed over the new recording. The choice to hire a number of foreign actors in leading roles, however, caused a minor controversy over questions of historical accuracy. Despite this, the new release saw mostly positive reviews, as critics noted that their foreign origin did not detract from their ability to subsume themselves into the roles.
Reception
So Swept the Mountain Wind was released and rereleased to widespread critical acclaim and raving reviews from critics. It is considered to be one of the most important pieces of Rossan media to have been created in the years following La Denunzia, and its themes expressing critiques of war, nationalism and the aristocracy emblematic of the collapse of the old order. Despite its relatively small original budget, the original opera broadcast has become a widely beloved piece among its Rossan listenership, and has been considered a classic in the decades following its release. The rerelease received similar acclaim, often being complimented for its dedication to set and costume design, crucial in conveying the setting. Despite this, the choice to cast foreign actors in several leading roles has been deemed controversial, due to concerns arising surrounding the film's historical accuracy. However, Gianfranco Brione, a Rossan media critic, would note in the Bugle of Buglio:
He would also compliment the cast for faithfully bringing the opera back to life with expressive, energetic performances, bar only Alekso IV, whom the critic considered to be "stilted and frail [...] in a way only an aristocrat can be." This did not detract from the performance, he would state, saying that it perfectly fit the aristocratic character the Reĝo was portraying.