Il Guarany: Synopsis

The action takes place near Rio de Janeiro in 1560.

Act I
1 Coro
A group of hunters approaches the castle of Don Antonio de Mariz (bass), a Portuguese
nobleman; among them are Don Alvaro (tenor) and the Spanish adventurer Gonzales
(baritone), both in love with Don Antonios daughter, Cecilia (soprano).
2 Dialogue and Peris appearance
Peri (tenor), son of the chief of the Guaran tribe, appears, and Don Antonio thanks him
for saving his daughters life by rescuing her from the Aymor Indians.
3 Polacca Cecilias appearance
Cecilia enters and her father announces that Don Alvaro will be her husband; she answers
that she is ready to obey but intimates that she does not love Alvaro.
4 Ave Maria (diegetic number).
5 Seguito e stretta
With two of his companions, Gonzales plots against Don Antonio.
6 Scena e duetto (Cecilia e Peri)
Peri, who has heard them, warns Cecilia of the plot. As they part, they declare their
mutual love.
Act II
1 Scena ed aria Peri Vanto pur superba cuna
2 Scena e duetto (Gonzales e Peri)
In the Grotto of the Savage at night, Peri hears the three adventurers conspire to attack
the castle. Only Cecilia will be spared, as Gonzales plans to abduct her.
Duetto: Gonzales becomes aware of Peris presence and pretends to renounce his project.
3 Coro davventurieri
They swear loyalty to Gonzales.
4 Canzone dellavventuriere (Gonzales diegetic music)
5 Ballata (Cecilia diegetic music)
In her bedroom, Cecilia sings the ballad Cera una volta un principe, accompanying
herself on a guitar (replaced by a doll-Peri in the movie), then falls asleep.

6 Scena e duetto (Cecilia e Gonzales)

Gonzales enters her room through a window. She wakes up and repulses him. Peri
intervenes by firing an arrow through the window; Gonzales fires his gun, waking
everyone in the castle.
7 Pezzo concertato Finale secondo
Don Antonio arrives and requests an explanation for Gonzaless presence. Peri appears in
the window and points to Gonzales as the leader of the traitors.
8 Seguito e chiusa del finale secondo
Suddenly, a tremendous noise from outside terrifies everyone; the castle is surrounded by
Aymor Indians. All swear loyalty in the defence of the castle.
Act III
1 Coro di Aimor
The next day in the Aymor camp, Cecilia is prisoner. The Aimor sing about the war
and against the Portuguese settlers.
2 Scena e duettino (Cecila, Cacico)
The Aymor chief Cacico (baritone or bass) tells her that she can be his queen.
3 Coro e terzetto (Cecilia, Peri, Cacico)
A group of warriors brings in Peri, also taken prisoner. The chief recognizes him as a
friend of the Portuguese and orders the ritual preceding the death of the enemy.
4 Introduzioni, ballabili e azione mmica
The Aimor prepare for Peris sacrifice.
5 Gran Marcia, baccanale indiano
Continues.
6 Scena
The Cacico orders his queen to confort the prisioner and leaves both of them alone.
7 Gran Scena e duetto
Peri reveals to Cecilia that he has taken a poison that will kill the Aymor when they
devour his body. They exchange vows of love.
8 Invocazione, O Dio degli Aimor
The chief returns, and the ritual of the sacrifice begins with invocations to the god of the
Aimor.
9 Scena, Finale terzo
Before the Cacico can give Peri the deadly blow the Portuguese invade the camp, kill him
and overpower the tribe. (Peri flees to the jungle and takes an antidote to the poison, we
learn later).

Act IV
1 Coro, scena e congiura
Gonzaless new plans are overheard by Don Antonio who decides to destroy his castle
since he cannot overcome both Gonzales and the Aymor.
2 Scena del Battesimo (Don Antonio, Peri)
Peri offers his help but Don Antonio refuses. Peri then proposes to save Cecilia but Don
Antonio hesitates since Peri is not a Christian. Peri asks to be baptized and Don Antonio
performs the sacrament.
3 Gran scena e terzetto finale (Cecilia, Peri, Antonio)
Cecilia enters and her father tells her that Peri will take her to her relatives in Rio de
Janeiro. In despair, she faints. Don Antonio bids them farewell.
Gonzales and his group come after them, but Don Antonio lights several powder barrels,
causing his own death and that of the traitors, while Cecilia and Peri escape.