Medonte (Mysliveček)
Template:Mysliveček operas Il Medonte is an Italian opera in three acts by Josef Mysliveček set to a libretto by Giovanni de Gamerra.
Performance history
The opera was first performed at the Teatro Argentina in Rome on 26 January 1780. It was a moderate success that redeemed the failure of the composer's Armida, which was a spectacular failure at Milan during the same carnival operatic season of 1780. In modern times, it was revived for a performance in Ostrava in 1961. The most famous vocal piece from the opera is the rondò "Luci belle, se piagente," which was widely disseminated in Europe until the early 19th-century and was indeed one of the most outstanding vocal compositions of its era. It was originally sung by Tommaso Consoli in the role of Arbace. All of the performers in the opera were male, since women were prohibited from appearing on stage in Roman theaters until Pius VII was elevated to the Holy See in the year 1800.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 26 January 1780, Teatro Argentina, Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Medonte, King of Epirus, lover and betrothed of Selene | tenor | Giacomo David |
| Selene, Princess of Argos, daughter of Aglauro, king of Argos, in love with Arsace | soprano castrato | Michelangelo Bologna |
| Arsace, Royal prince of Dodone and supreme commander of the armies of Epirus | soprano castrato | Tommaso Consoli |
| Zelinda, Royal princess of Larissa, a tributary and friend of Medonte | soprano castrato | Silvestro Fiammenchi |
| Evandro, a Grande of the kingdom of Epirus and captain of the royal guards | tenor | Biagio Parca |
| Talete, one of the notables of the kingdom of Argos | bass | Lorenzo Galeffi |
References
- Freeman, Daniel E. Josef Mysliveček, "Il Boemo." Sterling Heights, Mich.: Harmonie Park Press, 2009.