We’re going for Baroque again on this week’s Sunday Opera (5/3 3:00 p.m.) with a forgotten opera that is finally getting some much deserved recognition: Leonard Vinci’s “Artaserse,” an opera that premiered in Rome in 1730.
This is one of over 40 operas by this composer who was quite popular in the 18th century, but who fell out of favor and was subsequently forgotten until early in the 21st century when works like “Artaserse” began to reappear (2012).
Artaserse is the son of Serse (Xerxes), who is murdered at the beginning of the opera, and, as next in line for the throne, he must navigate some treachery of those around him while trying to decide if he’s worthy to rule.
That’s just the beginning of the truly complicated plot by librettist Pietro Metastasio which is overwhelming and better left to the program where I do go through the whole thing.There is, after everything is sung and done, a happy ending.
Suffice it to say, it’s best if you know the characters, their relationships, and who’s singing them.As my mother used to say: “You can’t tell the players without a program.”
· ARTASERSE – Prince of Persia, friend of Arbace, and in love with Semira – Kangmin Justin Kim (countertenor)
· MANDANE – Sister of Artaserse who is in love with Arbace – Emily Fons (mezzo soproano)
· ARBACE – Friend of Artaserse, brother of Semira, and in love with Mandane – Key’mon Murrah (countertenor)
· SEMIRA – Sister of Arbace and in love with Artaserse – Elija McCormack (male soprano)
· ARTABANO – Father of Arbace and Semira and prefect of the Royal Guard – (He’s not a very nice person.) – Eric Ferring (tenor)
· MEGABISE – Confidant of Artabano, General of the Persian Army, and lusts after Semira – Ryan Belongie (countertenor)
The opera contains some vocal fireworks, especially from Elija McCormack as Semira.
They’re joined by Chicago’s wonderful Haymarket Opera Company, and it’s all under the leadership of Craig Trompeter.
It’s a long opera, but we’ll have enough time at the end for an aria from another of Vinci’s over 40 works, “Il Medo” (“Medea”) by countertenor Filippo Mineccia who is joined by the Ensemble Stile Galante lead by Stefano Aresi.
