Abstract
Freedom fighters and national heroes frequently appeared on the operatic stage of the 19th century. Rossini used the story of Wilhem Tell, Verdi composed an opera about Jeanne D’Arc, the national heroine of France, and in La battaglia di Legnano Emperor Barbarossa figures as the incarnation of the menace for the Italians’ longing for freedom, exerted through centuries by the sovereigns of German-speaking countries. The article deals with Italian operas about personalities of German history who had special importance in the national discourse of their own country. In particular it focuses on the historical characters of Arminius and Charlemagne, already present on the operatic stage in the 17th century. Their representation underwent essential modifications in the age of the Risorgimento.
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