Mitridate, rè di Ponto

Mitridate, Rè di Ponto

Drama per musica (Opera seria) in three acts

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Libretto: Vittorio Amadeo Cigna-Santi

After Racine, translated by Giuseppe Parini

First performed at the Regio Ducal Teatro, Milan on 26th of December 1770

Characters:

• Arbate (male soprano) - Governor of Nymphæa • Sifare (male soprano) - Mitridate's son • Aspasia (soprano) - pledged in marriage to Mitridate, the Queen • Farnace (male alto) - Mitridate's eldest son • Marzio (tenor) - Roman legionary officer • Mitridate (tenor) - King of Pontus • Ismene (soprano) - Parthian Princess

The opera takes place in and around the Crimean port of Nymphæum in 63BC. Mitridate fled, having suffered a heavy defeat by his rivals, the Romans and is considered dead by Aspasia and his sons, Farnace and Sifare.

ACT 1

Scene 1

Arbate, the governor of Nymphæum, welcomes Sifare. We learn that Sifare resents his brother, Farnace, because of his brother’s strong ties with their enemies, the Romans. Arbate pledges his loyalty to Sifare. Aspasia pleas Sifare to help her against advances by Farnace. He accepts her plea and reveals his love for her.

Scene 2

Farnace makes his advances on Aspasia. Aspasia refuses with support from Sifare who protects her from his forceful brother. News arrives that Mitridate is alive and is approaching the city. Arbate urges brothers to conceal their differences and greet their father. Brothers agree to hide their feelings for Aspasia. Farnace conspires with Marzio, Roman legionary officer, against Mitridate.

Scene 3

Mitridate arrives on the shores of Nymphæaum with princess Ismene, daughter of his ally the King of Parthia. Mitridate wants Farnace to marry Ismene, his promised bride. Ismene is in love with Farnace but senses problems and is worried about her future. Arbate tells Mitridate that Farnace is persuing Aspasia not mentioning Sifare. Jelous Mitridate swears revenge on Farnace.

ACT II

Scene 1

Farnace scornes and threatens Ismene. She tells Mitridate who suggests that she should marry Sifare. Mitridate asks Aspasia for immediate marriage but she hesitates proving to him she is unfaithful. Aspasia confesses love to Sifare but they both agree to part to save their honour. Sifare plans to leave and Aspasia is troubled with the conflict between love and duty.

Scene 2

Mitridate is aware of Farnaces plot against him with the Romans and plans his revenge despite Marzio’s offer of peace. He arrests Farnace to execute him. Ismene rescues the prince who admits treachery but implicates Sifare. Mitridate tricks Aspasia into admitting her love for Sifare and swears revenge. Aspasia and Sifare wish to die together in fear of Mitridate’s threats.

ACT III

Scene 1

Ismene, still in love with Farnace, tries to convince Mitridate to forgive Aspasia. Romans attack and Mitridate leaves for battle. Aspasia contemplates suicide by poison. Sifare also wants to die and joins his father in the battle.

Scene 2

Marzio liberates Farnace and promises the rule of Nymphæum to him. Farnace changes his mind deciding to side with Mitridate.

Scene 3

Mitridate commits suicide avoiding defeat. Before he dies he gives his blessing to Sifare and Aspasia and fogives Farnace who now accepts Ismene. All four pledge to free the world from Rome.

References

"Mitridate, re di Ponto" The Oxford Companion to Music. Ed. Alison Latham. Oxford University Press, 2002. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 26 February 2006 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t114.e4452

“Mitridate, re di Ponto" The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera. John Warrack and Ewan West. Oxford University Press, 1996. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 26 February 2006 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t77.e2299

"Mitridate, re di Ponto" Who's Who in Opera. Joyce Bourne. Oxford University Press, 1998. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 26 February 2006 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t78.e1284

"Mitridate, King" Who's Who in Opera. Joyce Bourne. Oxford University Press, 1998. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 26 February 2006 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t78.e1283