This "balletto in musica”, part opera, part ballet, based on the Cantos VI to VIII of Orlando furioso by Ariosto is not only the first opera ever composed by a woman, but it was also one of the first to be performed outside Italy - specifically in Poland – after its premiere at the court of the Medici. The libretto demands a sumptuous number of theatrical effects –hippogryphs, a boat woven of whale bones, a winged sea monster and a ballet on horseback – which include a wide variety of ritornelli, balletti, choruses and trios of female voices, in the manner of the famous concerti delle donne (consort of ladies) of the damsels of Ferrara.
A key name in the birth of the opera genre, she participated at the age of only thirteen in the premiere of Euridice by Peri, the earliest opera for which the music has been conserved. Caccini also played the part of the sorceress Alcina in the Florence premiere of her opera, a proof of her multiple talents. With this, she initiated the illustrious roster of operas – by Rossi, Lully, Händel, Vivaldi and Haydn, among many others– based on the inspiring work by Ariosto, which defines one of the guiding themes of this season.
Commedia in musica in a prologue and four scenes
Music by Francesca Caccini (1587-ca 1641)
Premiere at Villa Poggia Imperiale in Florencia on 3 February 1625
Premiere at the Teatro Real
New production of the Teatro Real, in co-production with Teatros del Canal
Artistic team
Musical conductor: Aarón Zapico
Stage direction: Blanca Li
Cast
Melissa: Vivica Genaux
Alcina: Lidia Vinyes-Curtis
Siren/Messenger/A Lady formerly Enchanted: Jone Martínez
Ruggiero: Alberto Robert
Nettuno / Astolfo/ Shepherd in Love: Francisco Fernández-Rueda
Forma Antiqva
Soloists of the Orchestra of the Teatro Real
