Gemma di Vergy
Introduction


***Gemma di Vergy*** is an 1834 *tragedia lirica* (tragic [opera](/wiki/Opera "Opera")) in two acts by [Gaetano Donizetti](/wiki/Gaetano_Donizetti "Gaetano Donizetti") from a [libretto](/wiki/Libretto "Libretto") by [Giovanni Emanuele Bidera](/wiki/Giovanni_Emanuele_Bidera "Giovanni Emanuele Bidera"). It is based on the tragedy *Charles VII chez ses grands vassaux* *(Charles VII and His Chief Vassals)* (1831\) by [Alexandre Dumas *père*](/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas%2C_p%C3%A8re "Alexandre Dumas, père"),Ashbrook \& Hibberd 2001, p. 236\. which was later to become the subject of the opera *[The Saracen](/wiki/The_Saracen_%28opera%29 "The Saracen (opera)")* by the Russian composer [César Cui](/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Cui "César Cui").

The heroine is the childless wife of the Count of Vergy, and the plot deals with her jealousy and grief as her husband arranges an annulment of their marriage in preparation for the arrival of his new bride, Ida, and her despair following the murder of her husband by a slave, Tamas, who is secretly in love with her.

*Gemma di Vergy* was first performed on 26 December 1834 at the [La Scala](/wiki/La_Scala "La Scala"), Milan. The leading role was taken by the [Italian](/wiki/Italy "Italy") [soprano](/wiki/Soprano "Soprano") Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis, Donizetti's favourite prima donna at the time,Ashbrook 1982, p. 373 for whom he had previously composed *[Fausta](/wiki/Fausta_%28opera%29 "Fausta (opera)")* (1832 ), and for whom he was later to compose *[Roberto Devereux](/wiki/Roberto_Devereux "Roberto Devereux")* (1837\).


Who composed the opera 'Gemma di Vergy'?