Clitennestra
| 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 | 1 March 1965 La Scala, Milan |
Clitennestra, an opera in a prelude and two acts, was the last work by Ildebrando Pizzetti. The libretto is in Italian. The opera play is based on ancient Greek mythology written by Aeschylus and Sophocles. It was premiered at La Scala in Milan on 1 March 1965, conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni.[1]
Roles[edit]
| 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[edit]
On his return from the Trojan war, Agamennone was murdered by his wife Clitennestra, she claims, to punish him for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia, but in reality 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[edit]
| 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[edit]
- ^ "Clitennestra". Opera Manager (in Italian). Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Ildebrando Pizzettis - Clitennestra". ESDF Opera (in German). Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Fiori: Ildebrando Pizzetti ~ Clitennestra". Opera Club. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
