Favorite, La

Opera by Gaetano Donizetti (libretto, in French, by A Royer and G Vaëz, with Augustin Scribe's assistance), first produced at the Paris Opéra, France, on 2 December 1840. In the story, Fernand falls in love with King Alphonse's mistress, Léonor, without knowing her true identity. After their marriage he finds out and feels dishonoured, retreating to a monastery. Later Léonor contracts a fatal illness, and as she dies is reconciled with Fernand.