A quiet, introspective study of infidelity and forgiveness within an insular religious community, Stiffelio makes up for what it lacks in bombast and vocal fireworks with an unusually strong libretto, way ahead of its time in the themes it explores, and in the strong yet muted finale.

In the excerpt posted, the troubled protagonist breaks all operatic trends (as seen in the 500 FemaleName di Place bel canto operas where jealous husbands kill their wives and/or lovers, and then sing cabalettas about it) in invoking the Bible’s message of forgiveness and reconciliation from the pulpit. No wonder the Church didn’t want *any* of it.