Rossini’s La donna del lago is a story with deep roots in Scottish history. Based on the narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, The Lady of the Lake, the story concerns the power struggle between King James V for control over the Scottish Highlands — and for the heart of Elena.

Some of the characters in La donna del lago are based on real people, while others take inspiration from the historical figures of the time. Let’s get to know the characters from this under-performed operatic gem!

La donna del lago is a rich story of love, loyalty, courage, and compassion — but did you know that it’s also rooted in real historical events?

La donna del lago takes its plot and name from Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem, The Lady of the Lake. Scott is often considered to be one of the first writers of historical fiction, and many of his works focus on the real events that shaped his homeland.