Demetrio e Polibio.html |
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| Operas by Gioachino Rossini |
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La cambiale di matrimonio (1810) |
Demetrio e Polibio (Demetrius and Polybius) is a two-act operatic dramma serio by Gioachino Rossini to a libretto by Vincenzina Viganò-Mombelli. The opera was orchestrated for strings only.1
Demetrio e Polibio was Rossini's first attempt at a full-scale opera, though it was not his first staged opera. Written for the Mombelli family of singers, Rossini completed the opera in 1806, during his student days at the Philharmonic Academy of Bologna.2 However it was not staged until May 18, 1812 when it premiered at Rome's Teatro Valle.3
Contents |
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, May 18, 18124 (Conductor: ) |
|---|---|---|
| Polybius, King of Parthia | bass | Lodovico Olivieri |
| Lisinga, his daughter | soprano | Maria Ester Mombelli |
| Siveno, Lisinga's lover | contralto | Marianna "Anna" Mombelli |
| Demetrius, King of Syria, Siveno's estranged father | tenor | Domenico Mombelli |
Synopsis
Act I
The good Polybius, King of Parthia, is the protector of both his own daughter Lisinga and her lover Siveno. Everyone believes Siveno to be the son of Minteus, a minister of King Demetrius of Syria, but he is actually the long estranged son of Demetrius. Demetrius, holding Minteus responsible for his son's disappearance, arrives at the court of Parthia in the guise of Eumeno, a royal messenger, and demands that Siveno be turned over to Syria. Polybius refuses. Siveno and Lisinga celebrate their marriage. Polybius confides to Siveno that he is worried about what has happened, but Siveno reassures him. Meanwhile, Eumene (Demetrius) plots to kidnap Siveno and bring him back to Syria. He bribes the servants and guards and at night manages to enter the Parthian court. However, when he arrives in the bed-chamber of the young couple, he finds Lisinga alone and kidnaps her instead. Polybius and Siveno try in vain to stop him.
Act II
Polybius and Siveno plead for Lisinga's release. In reply, Euemeno (Demetrius) threatens to kill her unless Siveno is turned over to him. In turn, Polybius threatens to kill Siveno unless Lisinga is released. The situation starts to resolve when Eumene (Demetrius), looks at an old medallion and realizes that Siveno is actually his lost son. Meanwhile, Polybius does not want to lose Lisinga, and Eumene (Demetrius) only wants Siveno. Desperate at their impending separation, Lisinga tries to kill Eumene, but he finally reveals his true identity as King Demetrius and announces that Siveno is his son. Peace is restored, and the couple live happily ever after.5
Selected recording
- Rossini: Demetrio e Polibio (Anna Laura Longo (Olmira), Christine Weidinger (Lisinga), Dalmacio Gonzales (Demetrio), Giorgio Surian (Polibio), Martino Fullone (Onao), Sara Mingardo (Siveno); Sluk Chamber Choir of Bratislava; Graz Symphony Orchestra; Conductor Massimiliano Carraro). Live recording from the Festival della Valle d'Itria. Label: Dynmanic
Notes and references
- ^ Kennedy, Michael "Demetrio e Polibio", The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music Oxford University Press, 2007 Oxford Reference Online (Retrieved on March 21, 2008)
- ^ "Rossini, Gioachino", Encyclopædia Britannica 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica Online (Retrieved on March 22, 2008)
- ^ Osbourne, Richard: "Demetrio e Polibio", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (Retrieved on March 21, 2008)
- ^ Amadeus Almanac (in Italian).
- ^ This synopsis is translated from Demetrio e Polibio in the Italian Wikipedia
External links
- Libretto, Deutsche Rossini Gesellschaft. Accessed 23 March 2008.