About the work
Opera in four acts by Antônio Carlos Gomes to an Italian libretto by Rodolfo Paravicini, first performed on 27 September 1889 at the Theatro Imperial Dom Pedro II in Rio de Janeiro. Sources included Alexandre Dumas fils's play 'Les Danicheff' (1876) and travel accounts by Alfredo d'Escragnolle Taunay; the action, set in the colonial year 1567, deals with the subject of slavery.
Plot
The enslaved Ilara and Iberê are in love on the plantation of Count Rodrigo, who breaks his promise and has Ilara sold. A French countess frees them both, but Ilara is also courted by Américo, who pursues her affections. In a decisive battle, Iberê sacrifices himself so that Ilara can escape.
Cultural significance
Lo schiavo was composed the year after the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888 and directly took up this highly topical subject. It is Gomes's only major opera premiered in Brazil rather than Italy; audiences received it enthusiastically, while critics mainly faulted the libretto.