Vêpres siciliennes, Les

Opera by Verdi (libretto by Scribe and C Duveyrier). Produced at the Opéra, Paris, on 13 June 1855, it was Verdi's first French opera, the only other set to French words being Don Carlos. The opera was also produced in Italy, as Giovanna di Guzman, at La Scala, Milan, on 4 February 1856, but later was called I vespri siciliani there. The story concerns the Sicilians Procida, Hélène, and Henri, who engage in a plot to assassinate Montfort, the French governor of the island. But when Henri learns that Montfort is his father he prevents the murder and Procida and Hélène are arrested. They later are released when Henri reluctantly accepts Montfort as his parent. At Henri's and Hélène's wedding the Sicilians rise and kill Montfort.