Knights at the Opera, Part 9 - On the Home Front
© Iris Bass
Take Rossini's 1817 Le Comte Ory, already discussed with regard to Ory's disguises in my article-series "Who Wears the Pants." The wily count infiltrates Fourmoutiers castle of Touraine in 1200 with the intention of seducing the unmarried Countess Adèle, whose vow of chastity is now in danger while all the men of the castle -- led by her brother -- are too busy protecting their own honor in the Middle East to be available to protect hers. He is attracted to Adèle precisely because she is so proudly and determinedly virginal, not because she is defenseless. Aiding Adèle in holding the fort against even the most seemingly benign male intruder is the stewardess Ragonde -- no, not an airline stewardess, but a female steward, a kind of housekeeper -- and an all-female staff. Ragonde explains that while their menfolk chase after la gloire - glory, every woman at the castle has sworn to remain even in widowhood, to serve the countess. Unfortunately, Ragonde herself falls all too easily for Ory's first disguise as a sympathetic religious hermit, and virtually leads Adèle into his clutches in the hopes that the holy man will cure her mistress of the melancholia caused by the brother's absence. Just as Ory's identity is exposed, Adèle receives a letter from her brother, saying that the Saracens have been defeated and they expect to return home -- rather improbably given the logistics back then -- in two days' time.
As Act II opens, Ragonde is again duped by Ory's last-ditch attempt to enter the castle, this time disguised as a nun. He and his men cleverly claim to be a religious pilgrims seeking safe shelter after having been pursued by...Count Ory! In a delightful drinking scene when the men are left alone to dine, having gained entry to the castle (and, properly staged, they are still dressed as nuns), Ory's sidekick Raimbaud describes the wine cellar in a long allegory comparing the wine regions of those bottles he found waiting to be conquered - a prospect even greater than defeating the "Sultan Saladin" -- and the men enjoy the fermented fruits of his theft. But Ory can't waste much time on drinking -- especially after he learns Adèle's brother is due from Palestine at midnight. The countess's honor is saved by Ory's own young page, Isolier, who has sworn chaste allegiance to the lady and who confronts his master in her bed-chamber, disguised as Adèle: Isolier reveals his identity after Ory tries to make love to him. Ory admits defeat and beats a hasty retreat from the castle with his men, as the female inhabitants rejoice at their husbands' and brothers' triumphant return.
