Composer

:

Leonardo Vinci

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1727

"Gismondo re di Polonia" is an opera seria in three acts composed by Leonardo Vinci. The libretto was written by Pietro Metastasio and was first performed at the Teatro delle Dame in Rome on January 26, 1733. The plot of the opera revolves around the love triangle between Gismondo, the King of Poland, his wife Rosmira, and the nobleman Zelinda. Rosmira, disguised as a man named Eurindo, has come to Poland seeking revenge on Gismondo for killing her father. She becomes Zelinda's confidante and the two fall in love. Meanwhile, Gismondo becomes infatuated with Eurindo and offers him/her the hand of his daughter, Princess Isabella. When Rosmira reveals her true identity, Gismondo is torn between his love for her and his duty as king. The opera is characterized by its virtuosic arias and duets, showcasing the vocal abilities of the singers. The music is highly expressive, with Vinci using chromaticism and dissonance to convey the characters' emotions. The orchestration is also notable, with Vinci using a variety of instruments to create different moods and textures. "Gismondo re di Polonia" was well-received at its premiere and was performed throughout Italy and Europe in the following years. It was also revived in the 20th century, with notable productions in Venice in 1955 and at the Festival della Valle d'Itria in 2018.

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