Demofoonte (Mysliveček, 1775)
Template:Mysliveček operas Demofoonte is an opera in three acts by the Czech composer Josef Mysliveček. It was the composer's second setting of this popular libretto by Metastasio first produced in 1733 (it was common in the second half of the eighteenth-century for composers to set Metastasian texts two or more times over). All of Mysliveček's operas are of the serious type in Italian referred to as opera seria.
Performance history
The opera was first performed at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples on 20 January 1775, the birthday of king Charles III of Spain, the former ruler of the Kingdom of Naples whose birthday and nameday were still celebrated with operatic productions under the rule of his son Ferdinand. It was very successful at its premiere, to the point that the prima donna for the production, Antonia Bernasconi, specially brought arias from it with her to her next engagement in London.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 20 January 1775, Teatro San Carlo, Naples |
|---|---|---|
| Demofoonte, king of Thrace | tenor | Giuseppe Tibaldi |
| Dircea, secret wife of Timante | soprano | Antonia Bernasconi |
| Timante, believed to be the son of Demofoonte and hereditary prince of Thrace | soprano castrato | Ferdinando Tenducci |
| Creusa, a princess of Phrygia, intended bride of Timante | soprano | Elisabetta Fiorentini |
| Cherinto, a son of Demofoonte, in love with Creusa | soprano castrato | Giuseppe Pugnetti |
| Matusio, believed to be the father of Dircea | bass | Michele Mazziotti |
| Adrasto, captain of the royal guards | alto | Celidea Squillace (in a breeches role) |
Synopsis
The Thracian king Demofoonte asks the oracle of Apollo how long the practice of the annual sacrifice of a virgin will continue. The answer is puzzling: "as long as the innocent usurper sits on the throne". The nobleman Matusio tries to protect his daughter Dircea from being sacrificed. He and Demofoonte are unaware that Dircea is secretly married to Timante, the son of Demofoonte and the heir to the throne. Demofoonte wants Timante to marry Creusa, a princess of Phrygia. Timante's younger brother Cherinto is accompanying her to the kingdom of Thrace, however he falls in love with her. Meeting Creusa, Timante admits that he cannot marry her, but does not explain why.
Dircea has been caught while trying to flee the country and imprisoned, and Demofoonte orders the immediate sacrifice of Dircea. Timante tries to release her but with no success. He is also imprisoned. Creusa asks Demofoonte for mercy. The king releases Timante and Dircea, and Timante decides to give up the throne in favour of Cherinto.
Suddenly they find a letter revealing that Dircea is the daughter of Demofoonte, which makes Timante and Dircea brother and sister. Timante is in despair, and tries to avoid Dircea. However another letter reveals that Timante is the son of Matusio. Everybody is happy. The marriage of Timante and Dircea becomes legal, and Cherinto is the real crown prince and can marry Creusa. No more virgins are sacrificed, since Timante is no longer the "innocent usurper of the throne".
See also
References
- Freeman, Daniel E. Josef Mysliveček, "Il Boemo". Sterling Heights, Mich.: Harmonie Park Press, 2009.