The Countess G——
The Countess G—— During the performance of Parisina, the Countess G—— enters a previously empty box. Franz recognizes her as a Venetian acquaintance from Paris, and the two exchange cordial greetings. Albert, struck by her beauty, asks Franz for an introduction, learning that the countess is renowned for her wit and that he nearly met her at Madame Villefort’s ball in Paris.
Opera Opinions
Opera Opinions While waiting for the curtain to fall, Albert criticizes the Italian performers—finding Coselli inelegant, La Specchia unimpressive compared to Malibran and Sontag, and Moriani’s appearance ill-suited to his voice. Franz gently chides his friend for being too difficult to please as Albert grows increasingly restless.
Meeting the Countess
Meeting the Countess With the countess’s gracious permission, Franz leads Albert to her box at the end of the first act. Franz presents Albert in glowing terms, and the countess welcomes them warmly, offering Albert the seat beside her while Franz takes a seat behind. Albert soon engages the countess in animated Parisian conversation.
The Enigmatic Greek
The Enigmatic Greek While Albert chats with the countess, Franz uses the opera glass to observe a strikingly beautiful woman in Greek costume seated in an opposite box, accompanied by a shadowy male figure whose features cannot be discerned. The countess identifies her as a regular at the theatre since the season’s start, always attended by either the same companion or a black servant, and calls her perfectly lovely—her very image of Medora.
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