Semiramide riconosciuta (Porpora)

This article is about the opera by Porpora. For other operas based on the same libretto, see Semiramide riconosciuta.

Semiramide riconosciuta (Semiramis Recognized) is an Italian opera with serious action, or dramma per musica, by Nicola Porpora, set to a libretto by the renowned poet Metastasio with some textual changes, possibly by Domenico Lalli. The opera was written for some of the finest contemporary singers, and includes a technically demanding series of da capo arias.

Performance history

The opera was first performed on 26 December 1729 at the Teatro San Giovanni Gristostomo in Venice. Metastasio's libretto had been used in Rome, on 6 February that same year, for another setting of the same title by Leonardo Vinci.[1]

Roles

Role Voice type Premiere cast, 26 December 1729
Semiramide, an Egyptian princess soprano Lucia Facchinelli
Merteo, an Egyptian prince, brother of Semiramide soprano castrato Carlo Maria Broschi "Farinelli"
Sibari, also formerly in love with Semiramide alto castrato Domenico Gizzi
Idreno/Scitalce, an Indian prince, former lover of Semiramide soprano castrato Nicolò Grimaldi "Nicolini"
Tamiri, princess of Bactria soprano Antonia "Anna" Negri
Ircano, a Scythian prince bass Giuseppe Maria Boschi

Synopsis

The Egyptian princess Semiramide rules Assyria disguised as a man. Princess Tamiri prepares to choose a husband from three candidates, setting in motion a series of events that lead to Semiramide being reunited with her lover Scitalce, and the exposure of the villainy of his rival Sibari.

References

  1. Casaglia, Gherardo (2005).[http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco?r=&alm_giorno=26&alm_mese=12&alm_anno=1729&alm_testo=Semiramide_riconosciuta_(Vinci) "Semiramide riconosciuta (Vinci), 26 December 1729"]. Almanacco Amadeus (Italian).
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