59-566: Maritana is a three-act opera including both spoken dialogue and some recitatives, composed by William Vincent Wallace , with a libretto by Edward Fitzball (1792–1873). The opera is based on the 1844 French play Don César de Bazan by Adolphe d'Ennery and Philippe François Pinel ( Dumanoir ), which was also the source material for Jules Massenet 's opéra comique Don César de Bazan (the character of Don César de Bazan first appeared in Victor Hugo 's Ruy Blas ). The opera premiered at
118-504: A World Heritage Site . This was the first extension beyond the Royal Palace , along the south bank of the river Tagus (Local spelling Tajo ). The royal Church of San Antonio which was built by Philip IV of Spain for both public and ceremonial royal use, stands at the southern end of Plaza San Antonio popularly known as Mariblanca , (possibly because it is a 'sea' of white sand or mar de arena blanca or else an allusion to
177-563: A water wheel for milling wheat flour . Since the mill was visible from the palace, it was architecturally attractive and sometimes used as the residence of the town governor. King Carlos III built the so-called Long Bridge (about 300m long) over the Jarama in 1761. In 1763 Charles III, a keen physiocrat ordered the construction of Real Cortijo de San Isidro , a model farm which was abandoned by his successor (his second son, Charles IV of Spain ) and later commercialized. Two years later
236-662: A (most likely common-law) marriage in New York with the German-born pianist Hélène Stoepel, sister of composer Robert Stoepel . In New York, in 1843–44, he had been associated with the early concert seasons of the New York Philharmonic Society , and in 1853 was elected an Honorary (Life) Member of the Society. In later years, having returned to Europe for the premieres of his later operas, he developed
295-425: A Crown property. Philip II declared the place a Royal Site in 1560. In the second half of the 16th century, the royal palace was constructed and the name of the enlarged settlement was changed from Alpajes to Aranjuez . The site was initially designed by Juan Bautista de Toledo and completed by Juan de Herrera . Aranjuez was extensively redesigned in the 18th century by Santiago Bonavía . In 1752, during
354-517: A French invasion from the north. Soldiers, peasants and members of the general public assaulted Manuel Godoy 's quarters and captured him. The mutineers made Charles dismiss Godoy, and two days later, the court forced the King himself to abdicate in favour of his son and rival, who became Ferdinand VII. Railway transport arrived to Aranjuez on 9 February 1851, with the opening of the Madrid –Aranjuez line,
413-412: A free public pedal bicycle scheme although there is a modest registration fee. There is also a tourist Chiquitren road train which tours the town and the extensive jardin del principe royal garden. Aranjuez railway station building is richly ornamented in the neomudéjar style. It was built by the then operator Compañía de los Ferrocarriles de Madrid a Zaragoza y Alicante between 1922 and 1927. It
472-574: A heart condition, for which he received treatment in Paris in 1864. He died in poor circumstances at the Château de Bagen, Sauveterre de Comminges , in the Haute Garonne (the home of Hélène's sister, Marie-Therese, Baroness de Saintegeme), on 12 October 1865, leaving two widows, a son, Willy, from his first marriage who died in 1909, and two sons by Hélène, Clarence Sutherland and Vincent St. John,
531-653: A roving career that took him around the globe. Wallace claimed that from Australia he went to New Zealand on a whaling-voyage in the South seas and while there encountered the Maori tribe Te Aupouri, and having crossed the Pacific , he visited Chile , Argentina , Peru , Jamaica , and Cuba , giving concerts in the large cities of those countries. In 1841, he conducted a season of Italian opera in Mexico City . Moving on to
590-690: Is a city and municipality of Spain , part of the Community of Madrid . Located in the southern end of the region, the main urban nucleus lies on the left bank of the Tagus , a bit upstream of the discharge of the Jarama . As of 2022 , the municipality has a registered population of 59,762. Aranjuez became one of the Royal Estates of the Crown of Spain in 1560, during the reign of Philip II . Until 1752, only royalty and nobility were allowed to dwell in
649-424: Is a village with a royal chapel (Hermitage) and a wine cellar (Bodegas del Real Cortijo de San Isidro) The proximity to Madrid and the good communications by road and rail made Aranjuez a suitable location for industry: detergents , Mechanical engineering, computer and electrical material, photographic materials, pharmaceutical products, paints and varnishes , sugar refineries, and oil mills. The majority of
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#1732787886954708-401: Is she. He is so disappointed that he agrees to sign a paper relinquishing her. Just as he is about to do this, he hears Maritana's voice in the background. He recognizes her as his bride and tries to claim her, but she is quickly spirited away to the royal palace at Aranjuez , and he is arrested. Now imprisoned in the royal palace, Maritana wonders what will become of her; she realises that she
767-464: The Concierto de Aranjuez (1939) for guitar and orchestra which was inspired by the royal gardens of Aranjuez and became one of the most famous orchestral compositions of the 20th century. The Austrian writer Peter Handke wrote the play Die schönen Tage von Aranjuez (The beautiful days of Aranjuez), which was translated into English by Michael Roloff. In summer it is traditional to eat dinner in
826-724: The Spanish Republican Army . Important battles of the war such as the Battle of Seseña and the Battle of Jarama took place not far from Aranjuez. Following the seizure by the Rebel faction, a Francoist concentration camp was active in Aranjuez in 1939. The city was declared Conjunto Histórico-Artístico ("Historic Artistic Junction") in 1983. In 2001 UNESCO listed the Aranjuez Cultural landscape as
885-624: The Tabor Grand Opera House . A 1902 production was seen at Covent Garden . It was produced again at the London Lyceum in 1925 and at Sadler's Wells in 1931, remaining popular until the middle of the 20th century. The Royal Dublin Society revived the work in concert form in 2006, with an orchestra conducted by Proinnsías Ó Duinn and singers led by Mairead Buicke and Robin Tritschler. The abiding Irish interest in
944-662: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 15 November 1845. The first of six operas by Wallace, the work is often cited as an inspiration for a plot device in Gilbert and Sullivan 's comic opera The Yeomen of the Guard in which a man weds a woman while awaiting execution in prison, escapes and, while he is disguised, the couple fall in love. Maritana was first produced at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane under Alfred Bunn 's management on 15 November 1845, conducted on opening night by
1003-517: The United States , he stayed at New Orleans for some years, where he was feted as a virtuoso on violin and piano, before reaching New York, where he was equally celebrated, and published his first compositions (1843–44). He arrived in London in 1845 and made various appearances as a pianist. In November of that year, his opera Maritana was performed at Drury Lane with great success, and
1062-548: The violin , clarinet , organ , and piano . In 1830, at the age of 18, he became organist of the Roman Catholic Cathedral at Thurles , County Tipperary , and taught music at the Ursuline Convent there. He fell in love with a pupil, Isabella Kelly, whose father consented to their marriage in 1832 on condition that Wallace become a Roman Catholic. The couple soon moved to Dublin , where Wallace
1121-477: The M-305 (regular road which leads via La Montaña district and automotive sales zone (3 km north of city) and then directly to the royal palace. The A4 exit at kilometre 52 serves the south of the town, as does the toll road Radial R-4 . Six main line bus routes serve the locality via the bus station, Las Infantas. Taxis and local bus services (four routes) link to the railway station. The municipality provides
1180-497: The Marea Blanca (the white (coat) wave or tide). Aranjuez is located on the fertile plain in the deep, high sided valley (cuenca) of the river Tagus (the comarca Vega del Tajo), whose rich soil is suitable for growing wheat and other cereals . There are also horticultural plantations , notably of asparagus and strawberries but also (centered on Villaconejos ) vineyards and extensive production of melons . Typical of
1239-504: The Marquis and Marchioness de Montefiori at the ball, asking them to pretend that she is the Marquis's niece. José brings her to meet the King, but Maritana is surprised and disappointed to find that Charles is not the dashing man that she had married. Meanwhile, Don Cæsar arrives at the luxurious villa and demands his bride. José brings the old Marchioness to present to him. Since Cæsar did not see his bride, he believes José's story that this
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#17327878869541298-489: The Queen. While waiting in the palace gardens, Cæsar overhears José telling the Queen that the King has a rendezvous with Maritana that evening. Cæsar appears, denounces José as a traitor, and slays him. When the King hears of Cæsar's loyalty, in his gratitude he repents of his designs on Maritana and gives her to Cæsar, whom he makes Governor of Valencia . Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 The opera's initial reception at Drury Lane
1357-608: The ambitious Plaza commercial center, built but not fitted, has never opened, and the smaller enterprise center, although open, contains a local supermarket, two cafés an English Academy and less than a dozen other small businesses. Finally, in March 2008 the University Hospital Tajo was opened. In 2013 this hospital, together with several others medical facilities in the Community of Madrid was threatened with privatisation, provoking considerable public protest known as
1416-459: The area. Under the tuition of his father and uncle, he wrote pieces for the bands and orchestras of his native area. Wallace became accomplished in playing various band instruments before the family left the Army in 1826 (their regiment then being the 29th Foot), moving from Waterford to Dublin, and becoming active in music in the capital. Wallace learned to play several instruments as a boy, including
1475-499: The city include many buildings in addition to the 17th century Royal Palace and church mentioned above: Numerous parks and gardens are open to the public (detailed in ) Aranjuez has a cold semi-arid climate ( Köppen BSk ) with cool winters and hot, dry summers. The city of Aranjuez is governed by a single municipal authority, which, for convenience divides into the several administrative districts which in turn may contain residential estates ( urbanizaciones): The main pillars of
1534-754: The composer. It was produced the following year in Dublin and Philadelphia, and soon afterwards in Vienna, with further performances in New York (1848, 1854, 1857, 1865 and 1868). In 1873, Maritana became the first opera produced in England by the Carl Rosa Opera Company at Manchester. It was revived in Dublin in 1877, and in London at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1880, in an Italian version by Mattei. A performance in Denver , Colorado, in 1881, inaugurated
1593-444: The dashing Don Cæsar, who had fought to defend a poor apprentice boy named Lazarillo from mistreatment by his master. On the day of Don Cæsar's execution, a pardon arrives from the King, but it is maliciously intercepted by Don José. José offers Cæsar a soldier's death (shooting instead of public hanging) if he agrees to marry a veiled lady before his execution; Cæsar agrees. José brings the heavily veiled Maritana to marry Cæsar before
1652-466: The execution, with the intention of making her a nobleman's widow; he tells her that she is marrying the King. While Don Cæsar and his executioners participate in the wedding feast, Lazarillo removes the lead shot from all the weapons. The execution is carried out, Cæsar feigns death, and he later escapes and goes to a ball at the Montefiori villa, seeking his new wife. Don José brings Maritana to see
1711-744: The family, Elizabeth, a soprano , and Wellington, a flautist , as bounty emigrants from Cork that autumn. The composer's party first landed at Hobart , Tasmania in late October, where they stayed several months, and then moved on to Sydney in January 1836, where, following the arrival of the rest of the family in February, the Wallaces opened the first Australian music academy in April. Wallace had already given many celebrity concerts in Sydney, and, being
1770-510: The female statue of the fountain at the far end, which is the Venus of sculptor Juan Reyna in 1762). A bullring, one of the earliest in Spain, the original was built in 1760 by order of King Charles IV , the refurbished structure was opened by his wife, Maria Luisa of Parma , on 14 May 1797. It had a capacity of 9000 spectators at a time when the population, according to the then prime minister ,
1829-465: The first virtuoso to visit the Colony, became known as the "Australian Paganini ". His sister Elizabeth, at age 19, in 1839 married an Australian singer John Bushelle, with whom she gave many recitals before his early death in 1843 on a tour of van Diemen's Land. Wallace was also active in the business of importing pianos from London , but his main activity involved many recitals in and around Sydney under
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1888-480: The industries are located to the west of the railway station or in the "Gonzalo Chacón" industrial park , in the south. The main existing industries are: Previous industrial activities now reduced, mothballed or closed included Aranjuez enjoys excellent road and rail links to the Spanish capital city of Madrid . Aranjuez is served by the public Autovía A-4 (Madrid Cordoba) The exit at kilometre 37 connects to
1947-543: The king ordered the construction of the Franciscan Convent of San Pascual , later occupied by the Conceptionists . The French architect Jaime Marquet began construction of the theatre Coliseum Carlos III in 1767. An uprising, the so-called Mutiny of Aranjuez , took place on 17 March 1808 when the royal family and the government were staying at Aranjuez on their way south, as they were anticipating
2006-729: The latter of whom, faced with a terminal condition in the French hospital in San Francisco in 1897, committed suicide. Wallace was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery , London; the epitaph on his recently refurbished headstone (from 2007) now reads "Music is an art that knows no locality but heaven – Wm. V. Wallace". Opera Orchestral music Songs for voice and piano Piano music Opera recordings Other vocal recordings Piano recordings Aranjuez Aranjuez ( Spanish: [aɾaŋˈxweθ] )
2065-509: The lighter operas. ... [O]ne of the most admired of all English songs [is] "Scenes that are the brightest". ... The freshness, brightness, and gracefulness of the music of this little opera, combined with the unusual interest and delicate humor of the story, have always commended it to popular admiration." The Victor Book of the Opera , in 1915, called the opera "beloved for its tunefulness and its sentimental music. The ideal of opera fifty years ago
2124-507: The local economy are hotels and tourism. Aranjuez has always been an attractive city for tourists with its Royal Palace , the gardens , the Tagus river and the landscapes. In 2001 this city was designated as a World Heritage Cultural landscape by UNESCO , and since then, tourism has kept on increasing until hit by the 2008 recession. Prior to 2008 much money was spent in order to beautify Aranjuez and many pubs and restaurants were opened (from 2001 to 2004 their number increased 22%). This
2183-464: The neighbouring region of Castilla-La Mancha Aranjuez and the Vega del Tajo also produce a wide variety of products such as sorghum , sunflowers , potatoes, tomatoes, artichokes , beets and Jalapeño peppers. The Real Cortijo de San Isidro is a settlement about 6 km north of Aranjuez where King Charles III of Spain established a royal farm in 1766, exploiting existing agricultural land. There
2242-609: The origin to be from Latin Ara Jovis or Ara Iovia , which means the altar of the Roman god Jupiter . However the pre-Roman derivation is generally preferred. Alfonso VI took control of the territory near the Tagus, including Aranjuez, after the 1085 conquest of the Taifa of Toledo . During the 12th century, Aranjuez (then known as Aranz , Aranzuel , Aranzuegue or Almuzundica )
2301-507: The patronage of the Governor, General Sir Richard Bourke . The most significant musical events of this period were two large oratorio concerts at St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) Cathedral in Sydney in 1836 and 1838, on behalf of the organ fund, which were directed by Wallace, and which utilized all the available musical talent of the Colony, including the recently formed Philharmonic [Choral] Society. In 1838, he separated from his wife, and began
2360-534: The piano. Vincent Wallace was a cultivated man and an accomplished musician, whose work as an operatic composer, at a period by no means encouraging to music in England, has a distinct historical value. Like Michael William Balfe , he was born an Irishman, and his reputation as one of the few composers known beyond the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland at that time is naturally coupled with Balfe's. In 1854, Wallace became an American citizen after
2419-496: The public square in disguise, is taken with her beauty. His devious minister, Don José, sees this and encourages his affections, hoping that the King will compromise himself. José intends to reveal the King's infidelity to further his own favour with the Queen. José also fills Maritana's head with visions of a wealthy life. Don Cæsar de Bazan is a down-on-his-luck but jovial nobleman who is arrested and sentenced to death by public hanging for duelling during Holy Week . Maritana admires
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2478-628: The regiment was stationed for one year in Waterford, one of several successive postings in Ireland and the UK. The family returned to Ballina some four years later, in 1816, and William spent his formative years there, taking an active part in his father's band and already composing pieces by the age of nine for the band recitals. The band, having a reputation for high standards, apart from regimental duties would have featured at social events in big houses in
2537-523: The reign of Ferdinand VI , Aranjuez, which was previously reserved for the royal family, nobles of the royal court and palace servants started to be opened providing overnight accommodation for visitors, who had previously been obliged to lodge in nearby settlements such as Ocaña. The weir in the Tagus River which is alongside to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez was constructed in 1753 to power
2596-589: The second in the Iberian Peninsula after Barcelona – Mataró (not the second in Spain, as the Havana – Güines line had been opened in Cuba in 1837). Aranjuez was granted the title of town ( villa ) in 1899. In the context of the 1936–1939 Spanish Civil War , Aranjuez remained under Republican control until the end of the conflict, becoming the headquarters of the 9th Division [ es ] of
2655-460: The tajo . An ancient irrigation system for the royal kitchen-gardens and orchards (now farmland) includes channels and a noria waterwheel, recently restored in a leisure area known as Talud Sur (south bank of) de La Montaña de Aranjuez. The old, tree-lined avenues around are maintained provide shady level walkways. Friedrich Schiller 's drama Don Carlos starts with the words "Die schönen Tage in Aranjuez sind nun zu Ende." Joaquín Rodrigo wrote
2714-501: The town. The cultural landscape of Aranjuez was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. There are several theories about the origin of the name. The most widely-accepted one states that it comes from Basque and derives it from arantza (" hawthorn " in English). Another theory, attributed to Padre Martín Sarmiento , a Benedictine scholar who lived about a century after the founder of Aranjuez, Philip II of Spain , claims
2773-466: The work is reflected in the works of James Joyce , in his novel Ulysses , and his stories " The Dead " and " A Mother " (both collected in Dubliners ). Silent film versions of the opera were released in 1922, adapted by Frank Miller and directed by George Wynn, and 1927, directed by H. B. Parkinson . Maritana is a gypsy street singer in Madrid . Charles II, the young king of Spain, lurking in
2832-485: Was a 'pharonic' proyecto de Actuación Urbanística (PAU) of some 5000 mixed 'open market homes (Viviendas precio libre or VPL) of which, by 2012, something around one fifth were actually sold. The remainder are now owned by the 'bad bank' SAREB In 2005 a major events and gambling installation Gran Casino was opened in the (northern) barrio Montaña near the existing conference centers of La Finca and Hotel Occidental Aranjuez (which includes an 18-hole golf course). Nearby,
2891-606: Was a small hamlet under the influence of the castle of Oreja. Following the 1108 defeat of Castilian and Leonese forces by the Almoravids at Uclés , the area fell under Muslim control. Aurelia (Oreja) was retaken by Alfonso VII, the Emperor after the 1194 surrender of the besieged castle . Alfonso VIII donated Oreja and its dependent hamlets in 1171 to the Order of Santiago and its Grand Master Pedro Fernández . Aranjuez
2950-581: Was also popular in his day, some numbers being associated with famous singers of the time. Wallace was born at Colbeck Street, Waterford , Ireland. Both of his parents were Irish; his father, Spencer Wallace of County Mayo , one of four children, who was born in Killala , County Mayo in 1789, became a regimental bandmaster with the North Mayo Militia based in Ballina . William was born while
3009-658: Was definitively secured in 1178. Aranjuez was chosen as seat of the Mesa Maestral ("Master's Table") of the Order of Santiago in 1272. The link between Aranjuez and the Crown dates from 1493, when the Catholic Monarchs became administrators of the military orders. Adrian VI confirmed Emperor Charles V in the everlasting dignity as Grand Master of the Order in 1523. The dehesa of Aranjuez subsequently became
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#17327878869543068-505: Was employed as a violinist at the Theatre Royal . Economic conditions in Dublin having deteriorated after the Act of Union of 1800, the whole Wallace family decided to emigrate to Australia in 1835. Wallace, together with his wife Isabella and young son, Willy, travelled as free emigrants from Liverpool in July. His father, with his second wife Matilda and one child, travelled with the rest of
3127-566: Was enthusiastic, with the critic of The Musical World generally commenting favorably on the composer, librettist, melodies and instrumentation. In a later assessment, George P. Upton in The Standard Operas: their plots, their music, and their composers (1910) judged that Maritana "is one of the sprightliest and brightest of all the English operas. ... "I hear it again" ... is one of the sweetest and most delicate songs in any of
3186-422: Was famous on three continents as a double virtuoso on violin and piano. Nowadays, he is mainly remembered as an opera composer of note, with key works such as Maritana (1845) and Lurline (1847/60), but he also wrote a large amount of piano music (including some virtuoso pieces) that was much in vogue in the 19th century. His more modest output of songs and ballads, equally wide-ranging in style and difficulty,
3245-518: Was later presented internationally, including Dublin (1846), Vienna , Austria (1848), and in Australia. Wallace's sister, Elisabeth, appeared at Covent Garden in the title role in 1848. Maritana was followed by Matilda of Hungary (1847), Lurline (1847/60), The Amber Witch (1861), Love's Triumph (1862) and The Desert Flower (1863) (based on the libretto of Halévy 's Jaguarita l'Indienne ). He also published numerous compositions for
3304-439: Was only 4226. There are twelve public entrances which lead to three circular galleries, each with 10 stone seating benches. Royalty and their guests enjoyed a private entrance with stairs leading directly to the royal box. Following a fire in 1809, King Ferdinand VII had it rebuilt and donated it to the town, which installed a small museum (usually only open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings at 11.15) Sights in
3363-407: Was recently renovated by RENFE , who operate an hourly shuttle service to Madrid and medium distance services to other destinations. The Strawberry train is a special Steam locomotive Heritage railway service provided for summer visitors and tourists. The river is obstructed and so used only by a local tourist boat and canoeists. There is an annual fun rafting competition run by the pirates of
3422-508: Was that of quiet, unaffected sweetness, and the composer in his Maritana achieved that quality to perfection." A beach resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida , the Don Cesar , is named for the character Don Cæsar, and the restaurant there is named Maritana. William Vincent Wallace William Vincent Wallace (11 March 1812 – 12 October 1865) was an Irish composer and pianist. In his day, he
3481-459: Was the victim of José's plot and, in her purity, repulses the King's advances. Don Cæsar arrives to finally discover from the King that he has been pardoned. He demands his bride, but José insists on his arrest as an escaped prisoner. Before explanations can be made, the King is summoned by the Queen to the Palace. Cæsar and Maritana meet and find out that their love is mutual; they decide to appeal to
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