page_title: Emma di Resburgo
section_title: Act 2
hierarchical_section_title: Emma di Resburgo / Synopsis / Act 2
caption_attribution_description: English: Portrait of Giacomo Meyerbeer, c. 1825
context_page_description: Emma di Resburgo is a melodramma eroico in two acts by Giacomo Meyerbeer. It was the composer's sixth opera and the third that he wrote for an Italian theatre. The libretto in Italian by Gaetano Rossi is set in Scotland and has the same storyline as previous operas by Étienne Méhul and Simon Mayr. Meyerbeer's opera had its premiere at the Teatro San Benedetto Venice on 26 June 1819.
context_section_description: Donaldo, a knight, reports to Norcesto that attempts to regain Edemondo have been unsuccessful. Very troubled, Norcesto orders that the imprisoned Emma be treated with dignity. Olfredo then arrives with his daughter and Norcesto has Emma brought in. She bitterly reproaches him for separating her from her son, to which Norcesto offers to reunite them if Emma will reveal the whereabouts of Edemondo. Emma refuses.
  The palace is stormed by Knights and villagers who have heard that Edemondo is in the vicinity and demand he be brought to justice for the murder of his father. Edemondo appears and reveals his identity to the crowd, protesting his innocence. This only infuriates the crowd the more, who insist he be put to death.
  The Hall of Justice in the Palace
  The judges come to deliver their verdict. : Edemondo is sentenced to death for the murder of his father. The execution is ordered to take place on his father's grave. However Norcesto seems reluctant to sign the execution order. Emma, shocked by the verdict, publicly accuses Norcesto of being the murderer. Embarrassed, Norcesto eventually denies being the author of this crime and signs the execution order.
  The dungeon of the palace
  Olfredo and Etelia his daughter visit Edemondo in the prison where he is awaiting execution. Olfredo feels that Norcesto is hiding a secret that appears to be tormenting him.
  The cemetery where the counts of Lanark are buried at sunrise
  Emma arrives at the monument on the grave of her husband's father. In despair at Edemondo's impending execution, she feels she will not long survive him. A funeral march with chorus is heard and the procession moves onto the stage. Guards and Knights lead Edemondo to the block. Emma throws herself into his arms and takes a last farewell. Norcesto arrives with Olfredo and Etelia at the last moment before the execution. Norcesto, disturbed by pangs of conscience, has decided to reveal the truth. It was his father who murdered Edemondo's father, and as proof Norcesto produces the deathbed confession his father signed and gave to him. Edemondo, Emma and their son are reunited,  Edemondo regains his title of Earl of Lanark and all rejoice that justice has finally been done.
caption: Portrait of Meyerbeer, 1825
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