The 18th century has been called the age of Metastasio. The Roman poet's 27 libretti were set more than 800 times, and used as late as the 19th century, including by Meyerbeer (Semiramide riconosciuta, 1819) and Mercadante (Didone abbandonata, 1823). The most famous Metastasian opera today is Mozart’s Clemenza di Tito. Born Pietro Trapassi, 1698–1782; … Continue reading A note on Metastasio
Tag: opera
125. Jephté (Montéclair)
Do you believe that yours is the only true god? Do you think that members of other religions are blasphemous idolaters who should be killed, and their statues and temples smashed? You do? Then you'll love France's first Biblical opera!
124. Orlando furioso (Vivaldi)
Vivaldi, like his wicked sorceress Alcina, enchants the senses, then lures us into a queasily erotic nightmare of the sort we associate more with Richard Strauss than opera seria.
The Opera Scribe 