Composer

:

Errico Petrella

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1858

"Jone, o L'ultimo giorno di Pompei" is an Italian opera composed by Errico Petrella. The opera was first performed on November 12, 1858, at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy. The libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the novel "The Last Days of Pompeii" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. The plot of the opera revolves around the love story of Jone, a Christian slave, and Arbace, a Roman nobleman. The story is set in Pompeii, a city that is about to be destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Jone and Arbace fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that Jone is a Christian and Arbace is a pagan. The conflict between their religions is further complicated by the impending disaster that is about to befall the city. The opera is divided into four acts, each of which is further divided into several scenes. The first act introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the conflict between Jone and Arbace. The second act focuses on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the chaos that ensues in the city. The third act sees Jone and Arbace reconciling their differences and declaring their love for each other. The final act sees the destruction of Pompeii and the tragic end of Jone and Arbace's love story. "Jone, o L'ultimo giorno di Pompei" is characterized by its grandeur and spectacle. The opera features elaborate sets and costumes, as well as a large cast of singers and dancers. The music is also grand and sweeping, with arias and choruses that are both beautiful and dramatic. The premiere of "Jone, o L'ultimo giorno di Pompei" was a great success, and the opera quickly became one of Petrella's most popular works. It was performed throughout Italy and Europe, and it remains a beloved opera to this day.

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