Calliroe is an opera by Antonio Sacchini, set to a libretto by Mattia Verazi. It was first performed in Schloss Ludwigsburg on 11 February 1770 and the ballets were set by French choreographer Louis Dauvigny.
| Calliroe | |
|---|---|
| Opera seria by Antonio Sacchini | |
 Antonio Sacchini, engraved portrait | |
| Librettist | Mattia Verazi |
| Language | Italian |
| Premiere | 11 February 1770 |
The opera follows the usual pattern of opera seria of the time: secco recitative interlaced with da capo arias. Within this format Sacchini introduced strong dramatic music to suit the libretto: stromentato recitative is also used for extra dramatic effect, and the arias are sometimes interrupted by bursts of recitative. Stylistically, the work is thought to anticipate Italian opera of the following decade, and in particular Mozart's Il re pastore.
Roles
edit| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 11 February 1770 (Conductor:) |
|---|---|---|
| Bicestre | soprano | Anna Cesari Seeman |
| Tarsile | soprano castrato | Andrea Grassi |
| Sidonio | soprano castrato | Francesco Guerrieri |
| Calliroe | mezzo-soprano | Caterina Bonafini |
| Dorisia | mezzo-soprano | Monaca (or Monica) Bonanni |
| Agricane | alto castrato | Giovanni Maria Rubinelli |
| Arsace | tenor | Gaetano Petti |
References
edit- Italianopera, 12 February 2011
- Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Calliroe, 11 February 1770". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
- Marita P. McClymonds: "Calliroe", Grove Music Online ed L. Macy (Retrieved 3 June 2007), grovemusic.com Archived 16 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, subscription access.