Sabbatini:Takova:Benini - VERDI: Luisa Miller

Luisa Miller' was the third of four operas by Verdi based on plays by the German poet and dramatist, Friedrich von Schiller. The words of the play's title, 'Kabale und Liebe' - 'Intrigue and Love' - appear as superscriptions to the acts of the opera. The original story was set in the Tyrol in the early eighteenth century. Luisa, the daughter of a retired soldier, loves and is loved by Rodolfo. She does not know that he is the son of Count Walter, who has other plans for his son's future. The Count has a dark secret, but the real villain of the piece is his steward, Wurm, who wants Luisa for himself.