Christoph Willibald von Gluck
Antigono (Gluck)
Antigono is a three act opera seria composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck. It premiered February 9, 1756, at the Teatro Argentina in Rome. The Italian libretto was written by Pietro Metastasio, who
Plot#
The Macedonian King Antigono and his banished son Demetrio are both loved by the Egyptian princess Berenice. Antigono’s daughter, Ismene, loves Alessandro, who is the enemy of Macedonia. The opera portrays a violent struggle between Antigono and Alessandro. Typical for opera seria plots, identities and the emotional relations between the characters become confused. Everything is resolved through the forgiveness of King Antigono, and the opera seria ends happily.
Characters#
- Antigono (King of Macedonia) – tenor
- Berenice (Egyptian Princess) – soprano castrato travesti
- Demetrio (Son of Antigono) – soprano castrato
- Ismene (Daughter of Antigono) – soprano castrato travesti
- Alessandro (Enemy of Macedonia) – soprano castrato
- Clearco (Officer to Alessandro) – contralto castrato
Productions#
Ensemble Serse gave the modern day premiere of Antigono on 25 April 2015 in an uncut edition performed on period instruments. The cast was: Antigono – Simon Gfeller (tenor); Berenice – Calvin Wells (male soprano); Demetrio – Milena Dobrzycka (soprano); Alessandro – Michael Taylor (counter-tenor); Ismene – Jorg Delfos (counter-tenor); Clearco – Tom Verney (counter-tenor) Musical director – Greg Batsleer
Further reading#
*Holden, Amanda The Viking Opera Guide (Viking, 1993), page 373.
- Composer
- Christoph Willibald von Gluck