Composer

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Domenico Natale Sarro

Genre

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Opera

Didone Abbandonata is an opera seria in three acts composed by Domenico Natale Sarro. The libretto was written by Pietro Metastasio and was first performed in Naples in 1724. The opera tells the story of Dido, the Queen of Carthage, who falls in love with Aeneas, a Trojan prince. However, Aeneas is called back to his homeland by the gods, leaving Dido heartbroken and abandoned. The first act of the opera opens with Dido lamenting her loneliness and longing for love. She is soon visited by her sister Anna, who tells her of the arrival of Aeneas and his fellow Trojans. Dido is immediately smitten with Aeneas and the two quickly fall in love. However, their happiness is short-lived as Aeneas is called back to Troy by the gods. In the second act, Dido is consumed by grief and despair. She is visited by the spirit of her dead husband, who urges her to take her own life. Meanwhile, Aeneas is torn between his love for Dido and his duty to the gods. He ultimately decides to leave Carthage, causing Dido to curse him and vow to never love again. The final act sees Dido preparing to take her own life. She is visited by Aeneas, who begs for her forgiveness. However, Dido is too consumed by her anger and heartbreak to forgive him. She ultimately takes her own life, leaving Aeneas to mourn her loss. Didone Abbandonata is characterized by its beautiful arias and duets, which showcase Sarro's skill as a composer. The opera also features a number of elaborate dance sequences, which were a popular feature of opera seria at the time. The premiere of the opera was a great success, and it went on to become one of the most popular operas of the 18th century.

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