Premiere of Verdi's Ernani at La Fenice

Background. Teatro La Fenice, a historic opera house in Venice, became a site for famous premieres in the 19th century. Verdi's association with the venue began in 1844. The opera Ernani, a dramma lirico in four acts, was based on Victor Hugo's 1830 play Hernani. The libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave, whom Verdi worked with to shape the drama into an acceptable form for the stage.

Commission and Preparation. Verdi received a commission for two operas for the 1843–44 season from Marquis Nanni Mocenigo, President of Teatro La Fenice; one of these was I Lombardi. Finding the right subject took time, as earlier ideas like the Foscari family were forbidden by censors. Mocenigo suggested Hugo's drama Hernani, which captured Verdi's imagination. However, Piave initially feared censorship issues, and Verdi insisted on casting decisions, such as assigning the lead role to a tenor.

Reception and Legacy. Ernani was first performed on 9 March 1844 and became immensely popular, with countless revivals in its early years. The work spread to other Italian opera houses, though Hugo's opposition caused title changes in Paris and other cities. By 1846, at least 65 theatres had staged the work. The premiere marked the beginning of Verdi's significant association with La Fenice.