Composer

:

Alessandro Stradella

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1681

Average_duration

:

03:07:21

La Doriclea is an opera in three acts composed by Alessandro Stradella in 1671. The libretto was written by Giovanni Filippo Apolloni and is based on the story of Doriclea, a queen who disguises herself as a man to escape from her enemies. The opera premiered in Rome at the Teatro delle Dame on February 19, 1671. The plot of La Doriclea revolves around the character of Doriclea, who is the queen of a small kingdom. She is in love with the prince of a neighboring kingdom, but her father has arranged for her to marry another man. Doriclea decides to flee her kingdom and disguises herself as a man to avoid being recognized. She joins a group of soldiers and becomes their leader, earning the respect of her comrades. Meanwhile, the prince who Doriclea loves is also in disguise, having fled his own kingdom to avoid being killed by his enemies. He joins the same group of soldiers and becomes friends with Doriclea, not realizing that she is actually the queen he loves. The two of them fight together in battles and share many adventures. Eventually, Doriclea's true identity is revealed, and she is forced to return to her kingdom to marry the man her father has chosen for her. However, the prince follows her and reveals his own identity, declaring his love for her. In the end, the two of them are able to marry and live happily ever after. La Doriclea is known for its beautiful arias and duets, as well as its lively and energetic ensemble numbers. The music is characterized by its use of Baroque ornamentation and virtuosic vocal writing. The opera is divided into three acts, each with its own set of arias, recitatives, and ensemble numbers. Overall, La Doriclea is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Stradella's talent as a composer. Its lively music and engaging plot make it a popular choice for opera companies and audiences alike.

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