Demofoonte (Mysliveček, 1769)
Template:Mysliveček operas Demofoonte is an opera in three acts by the Czech composer Josef Mysliveček. It was the composer's first setting of this popular libretto by Metastasio.
Performance history
The opera was first performed at the Teatro San Benedetto in Venice on 17 January 1769. It was very successful when it appeared. Indeed, the composer's first biographer, František Martin Pelcl, claimed that Venetian nobles stood in line outside of the theater to applaud his talents.[1] The overture composed for the opera is of more lasting significance, however, since it was extravagantly admired by the young Mozart. In a letter home from Italy written on 15 December 1770 he urgently instructed his sister to be certain that a copy of it were available in Salzburg. If not, he vowed to bring a copy back home with him. Mozart used the overture as a source of musical motives in his own compositions for years. There is no other attributable music not by Mozart in the entire Mozart correspondence except for this overture. The role of Timante in this production was among the last sung by the great castrato Gaetano Guadagni.
Roles
| Cast | Voice type | Premiere, January 17, 1769 <br |
|---|---|---|
| Demofoonte | tenor | Francesco Zanetti |
| Dircea | soprano | Anna Lucia de Amicis-Buonsollazzi |
| Timante | alto castrato | Gaetano Guadagni |
| Creusa | soprano | Marianna Lombardi |
| Cherinto | soprano castrato | Giovanni Ripa |
| Matusio | soprano castrato | Francesco Sandali |
| Adrasto | bass | Giovanni Caffariello |
Synopsis
The Thracian king Demofonte 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 Demofonte are unaware that Dircea is secretly married to Timante, the son of Demofonte and the heir to the throne. Demofonte wants Timante to merry 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 can't marry her, but does not explain why.
Dircea has been caught while trying to flee the country and imprisoned, and Demofonte orders the immediate sacrifice of Dircea. Timante tries to release her but with no success. He is also imprisoned. Creusa asks Demofonte 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 Demofonte, 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".
Notes
- ^ See František Martin Pelcl, Abbildungen böhmischer Meister (Prague, 1782), p. 15.
References
- Freeman, Daniel E. Josef Mysliveček, "Il Boemo". Sterling Heights, Mich.: Harmonie Park Press, 2009.