Composer

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Nicola Porpora

Genre

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Opera

Style

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Opera

'Mitridate' is an opera seria composed by Nicola Porpora in 1730. The plot is based on the story of Mithridates VI, the king of Pontus, who fought against the Roman Empire in the first century BC. The libretto was written by the Italian poet and librettist Pietro Metastasio, who was known for his dramatic and emotional texts. The opera premiered on November 26, 1730, at the Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo in Venice. It was a great success and was performed in several other cities in Italy, including Naples, Florence, and Rome. The opera was also performed in Vienna in 1731, where it was well-received by the Austrian court. 'Mitridate' consists of three acts and features a cast of six principal singers, including the title character, Mithridates, his two sons, Xiphares and Pharnaces, and their love interests, Ismene and Aspasia. The music is characterized by Porpora's virtuosic vocal writing, which showcases the singers' technical abilities and expressive range. The first act opens with Mithridates returning from a battle against the Romans, where he has been wounded. He is greeted by his sons, who are vying for his favor and the throne of Pontus. Ismene, who is in love with Xiphares, tries to convince Mithridates to name him as his successor, but he is hesitant to do so. Aspasia, who is in love with Pharnaces, arrives and pleads with Mithridates to spare her father, who has been captured by the Pontic army. The second act focuses on the love triangle between Xiphares, Ismene, and Aspasia. Xiphares tries to win Ismene's love by promising to free her father, but she remains loyal to Pharnaces. Aspasia, meanwhile, is torn between her love for Pharnaces and her duty to her father, who is a Roman general. Mithridates, who is still undecided about his successor, is approached by the Roman ambassador, who offers him a deal to surrender in exchange for his life and the safety of his family. The final act features a dramatic confrontation between Mithridates and the Romans. Mithridates decides to fight to the death, and his sons and their love interests join him in battle. In the end, Mithridates is killed, but his sons and their lovers are able to escape. The opera ends with a chorus lamenting the loss of their beloved king. 'Mitridate' is a prime example of the opera seria genre, which was popular in the 18th century. It features elaborate arias, recitatives, and duets, which are designed to showcase the singers' vocal abilities and convey the emotional intensity of the story. The music is characterized by Porpora's use of ornamentation, chromaticism, and dissonance, which add to the dramatic tension of the opera. Overall, 'Mitridate' is a masterpiece of Baroque opera and a testament to Porpora's skill as a composer.

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