Composer

:

Gioachino Rossini

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1812

Average_duration

:

117:39

Demetrio e Polibio is an opera composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1806 when he was just 14 years old. The opera was commissioned by the Spanish impresario, Domenico Barbaia, for the Teatro Valle in Rome. The libretto was written by Vincenzina Viganò Mombelli, who was a well-known librettist of the time. The plot of the opera revolves around the story of two kings, Demetrio and Polibio, who are at war with each other. Demetrio's father, King Seleuco, was overthrown by Polibio, and Demetrio was taken as a prisoner of war. However, Polibio raises Demetrio as his own son, and the two become close friends. When Demetrio learns the truth about his identity, he must choose between his loyalty to Polibio and his duty to his own father. The opera is divided into two acts, and it features a total of nine musical numbers. The first act opens with a chorus of soldiers, followed by a duet between Demetrio and Polibio. The second act features a trio between Demetrio, Polibio, and Lisinga, a woman who is in love with Demetrio. The final scene of the opera is a quartet, which brings the story to a dramatic conclusion. One of the most notable characteristics of Demetrio e Polibio is its use of the bel canto style of singing. This style emphasizes the beauty and purity of the voice, and it requires singers to have a high level of technical skill. Rossini's music is also characterized by its lively rhythms and catchy melodies, which have made it popular with audiences for over two centuries. Demetrio e Polibio premiered on May 18, 1812, at the Teatro Valle in Rome. The opera was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it helped to establish Rossini as a rising star in the world of opera. Despite its success, Demetrio e Polibio is not as well-known as some of Rossini's later works, such as The Barber of Seville and William Tell. However, it remains an important piece in the history of Italian opera, and it continues to be performed by opera companies around the world.

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