abstract:Ascanio is a grand opera in five acts and seven tableaux by composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The opera's French libretto, by Louis Gallet, is based on the 1852 play Benvenuto Cellini by French playwright Paul Meurice which was in turn based on the 1843 historical novel by Alexandre Dumas, père.
Then we hear excerpts from his Serenata "Ascanio in Alba, " written for the Duke of Milan, and recorded by the Mozarteum Orchestra and Salzburg Chamber Choir.
Sunday's vote will show whether Ms Ascanio is right and the memory of Mr Chavez is powerful enough to drive his hand-picked successor to a victory in the polls.