The Teatro Real is presenting a single performance of this opera in three acts with music by Georg Friedrich Händel and the libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, adapted from Ptolomy and Alessandro by Carl Sigismondo Capece, in the Main Hall on 23 April.  It was premièred at the King’s Theatre in London on 30 April 1728 and the opera concert version was premièred at the Teatro Real on 14 February 2009.

It tells the story of Cleopatra, great grandmother of the most famous Cleopatra,  who has become a leading opera figure. After eliminating her husband, Ptolomy VIII, she puts her son, Ptolomy IX, on the throne. Later, Cleopatra deposes this son and replaces him with his younger brother, Ptolomy X (Alessandro in the opera).

He receives the order to kill his punished brother, who lives in exile under a false name on the island of Cyprus. After several frustrated assassination attempts, a rape attempt and an unsuccessful poisoning, brotherly love overcomes the abominable plans of the fatal queen.

Artistic File:

Opera in Three Acts

• Music by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
• Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, adapted from Ptolomy and Alessandro by Carl Sigismondo Capece
• Premièred at the King’s Theatre in London on 30 April 1728
• Premièred at the Teatro Real on 14 February 2009 In concerto version
• Opera In concerto version

Artistic Team:

• Musical Conductor - Francesco Corti
• Il Pomo d'Oro

Cast:

• Ptolemy - Jakub Józef Orliński
• Seleice - Melissa Petit
• Araspe - Andrea Mastroni
• Elisa - Giuseppina Bridelli
• Alessandro - Paul-Antoine Benós-Dijan