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Mari'a
Heroine of Donizetti's opera La Figlia del Reggimento. She first appears as a vivandière or French sutler-girl, for Sulpizio
(the sergeant of the 11th regiment of Napoleon's Grand Army) had found
her after a battle, and the regiment adopted her as their daughter.
Tonio, a Tyrolese, saved her life and fell in love with her, and the
regiment agreed to his marriage provided he joined the regiment. Just
at this juncture the marchioness of Berkenfield claims Maria as her
daughter; the claim is allowed, and the vivandiere is obliged to leave
the regiment for the castle of the marchioness. After a time the French
regiment takes possession of Berkenfield Castle, and Tonio has risen to
the rank of field officer. He claims Maria as his bride, but is told
that her mother has promised her hand to the son of a duchess. Maria
promises to obey her mother, the marchioness relents, and Tonio becomes
the accepted suitor.
Maria.
A fair, quick-witted, amiable maiden, whose banns were forbidden
by the curate who published them; in consequence of which she lost her
reason, and used to sit by the roadside near Moulines, playing vesper
hymns to the Virgin all day long. She led by a ribbon a little dog
named Silvio, of which she was very jealous, for she had first made a
goat her favourite, but the goat had forsaken her. (Sterne: Sentimental Journey.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Mari'a from Infoplease:
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