Beatrice and Benedict
Opera in two acts, by Berlioz. Words by the composer, after Shakespeare’s comedy, “Much Ado about Nothing.” Produced at Baden Baden, 1862.
Characters
| Don Pedro, a general | Bass |
| Leonato, governor of Messina | Bass |
| Hero, his daughter | Soprano |
| Beatrice, his niece | Soprano |
| Claudio, an officer | Baritone |
| Benedict, an officer | Tenor |
| Ursula, Hero’s companion | Contralto |
| Somarone, orchestral conductor | Bass |
The story is an adaptation of the short version of Shakespeare’s play, which preserves the spirit of the comedy, but omits the saturnine intrigue of Don John against Claudio and Hero. The gist of the comedy is the gradual reaction of the brilliant but captious Beatrice from pique and partially feigned indifference toward the witty and gallant Benedict, to love. Both have tempers. In fact they reach an agreement to marry as a result of a spirited quarrel.