L'Olimpiade

One of the masterpieces of opera seria

The fame of this Olimpiade was unrivalled in the 18th century, as evidenced by the exceptional number of handwritten scores found throughout Europe. Stendhal testified in 1810 that several of its arias were known by heart ‘throughout Italy’. With the Stabat Mater, which he composed the following year, Pergolesi’s fame was sealed. And what a work it is: virtuosic, vibrant, jubilant!

For his first appearance in Beaune, Italian conductor Giulio Prandi will convey his passionate love for this music to an outstanding cast. A great evening ahead.

Synopsis

Act 1

Megacles arrives in Sicyon just in time to enter the Olympic Games under the name of Lycidas, a friend who once saved his life. Unknown to Megacles, Lycidas is in love with Aristaea, whose hand is to be offered to the winner of the games by her father, King Cleisthenes. Lycidas, once betrothed to Princess Argene of Crete, is unaware that Megacles and Aristaea already love each other, and he subsequently tells his friend of the prize. Aristaea and Megacles greet each other fondly, but Megacles now feels bound by his promise to compete as Lycidas. Meanwhile, Argene arrives in Olympia disguised as a shepherdess, to win back Lycidas.

Act 2

Megacles wins the games, confesses the truth to Aristaea and departs, broken-hearted. When Lycidas comes to claim her, Aristaea reproaches him, as does the disguised Argene, much to his dismay. Amyntas, tutor to Lycidas, reports that Megacles has drowned himself, and King Cleisthenes, apprised of the deception, banishes Lycidas.

Act 3

Argene prevents the desperate Aristaea from suicide, Megacles is rescued by a fisherman, and Lycidas contemplates the assassination of the king. Aristaea pleads mercy for Lycidas and Argene offers herself in his place; as proof that she is a princess, she shows Cleisthenes a chain given her by Lycidas. He recognizes it as belonging to his son, abandoned in infancy to forestall the prophecy that he would kill his father. Lycidas, reinstated, accepts Argene, leaving his sister to Megacles.

Program and cast

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi

L’Olimpiade

Orchestra Ghislieri

Opera seria in three acts with libretto by Pietro Metastasio, premiered at the Teatro Tordinona in Rome on 8 January 1735

CAST

Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, Clistene
Carlotta Colombo, Aristea
Silvia Frigato, Argene
Josè Maria Lo Monaco, Licida
Theodora Raftis, Megacle
Matteo Straffi, Aminta
Francesca Ascioti, Alcandro

Orchestra Ghislieri
Giulio Prandi, conductor

2h45 with one intermission

In Italian, with French surtitles