Clitennestra
Clitennestra is an opera in a prelude and two acts, was the last work by Ildebrando Pizzetti. The libretto is in Italian language. The opera play is based from ancient Greek mythology written by Aeschylus and Sophocles. It premiered at La Scala in Milan on 1 March 1965, conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni.[1]
Clitennestra | |
---|---|
Opera by Ildebrando Pizzetti | |
Clytemnestra hesitates before killing the sleeping Agamemnon. On the left, Aegisthus urges her on. | |
Librettist | Ildebrando Pizzetti |
Language | Italian |
Premiere |
Roles
Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 1 March 1965[2] Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni |
---|---|---|
Clitennestra (Clytemnestra), the Queen, Agamennone’s wife | soprano | Clara Petrella |
Cassandra, Trojan's prophetess, Agamennone's concubine | soprano | Luisa Malagrida |
Agamennone (Agamemnon), the King, Trojan war hero | bass | Mario Petri |
Egisto (Aegisthus), Clitennestra’s lover | bass | Raffaele Arié |
Elettra (Electra), daughter of Agamennone and Clitennestra | soprano | Floriana Cavalli |
Oreste (Orestes), son of Agamennone and Clitennestra | tenor | Ruggero Bondino |
Synopsis
On his return from the Trojan war, Agamennone was murdered by his wife Clitennestra, who claims to punish him for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia, but in reality she killed him to be with her lover, Egisto.
Seven years later, Clitennestra was killed by her son Oreste, who had been turned away as a child and returned incognito (bringing the false news of his death) to avenge his father. Oreste, with the help of his sister Elettra, kills Clitennestra and Egisto, then goes into exile to punish himself for the crime committed, abandoning Elettra in despair.
Recordings
Year | Cast: Clitennestra, Cassandra, Agamennone, Egisto, Elettra, Oreste |
Conductor, Opera house, orchestra |
Label |
---|---|---|---|
1965[3] | Clara Petrella, Luisa Malagrida, Mario Petri, Raffaele Ariè, Floriana Cavalli, Ruggero Bondino |
Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus, Milan |
Fiori FI-1265 (2 discs) |
References
- Clitennestra Tragedia musicale in un preludio e due atti proprio. "Ildebrando Pizzetti: Clitennestra ". Opera Manager site. Retrieved 13 July 2018 (in Italian)
- Ildebrando Pizzetti 1880 Parma - 1968 Roma / Rom "Clitennestra". Ildebrando Pizzettis Aufnahmen der Oper Clitennestra ". ESDF Opera site. Retrieved 13 July 2018 (in German)
- Fiori: Ildebrando Pizzetti ~ Clitennestra "Ildebrando Pizzetti: Clitennestra ". WebArchived site. Retrieved 13 July 2018 (in Italian)