Opera: Naples, 'Olimpiade' for the 280th anniversary of San Carlo

On Saturday, 4 November, San Carlo Theatre, the worlds oldest opera theatre, will celebrate the 280th anniversary of its historical inauguration in 1737, with the first modern times performance of 'L'Olimpiade' by Leonardo Leo, a rarely staged opera that dates back to the origins of San Carlo Theatre.
    One of the best known works of the "opera seria" genre by a composer of the Neapolitan school of Pietro Metastasio, 'LOlimpiade' will be staged in a semi-scenic freely dramatised production by Filippo Zigante, with additions and critical revision of the 1737 edition by Ivano Caiazza. Gianluca Marciano' will conduct the orchestra and choir of Teatro San Carlo in this version, in which each character will be played by a singer, with an actor for the recitative parts. In collaboration with the students of the Scuola di teatro del Teatro Stabile di Napoli-Teatro Nazionale, the singers will include David Ferri Durà and Ruben Rigillo (Cleisthenes), Cinzia Forte and Angela Bertamino (Aristea), Manuela Custer and Serena Mazzei (Argene), Daniela Cappiello and Francesco Scolaro (Lycidas), Gaia Petrone and Emanuele D'Errico (Megacles), Michela Antenucci and Roberto Pappalardo (Amyntas), Raffaella Milanesi and Davide D'Antonio (Alcander).
    'L'Olimpiade', the second opera in the theatres history after 'Achilles in Skyros' by Domenico Sarro, was staged at Naples Teatro Massimo only in December 1737 and in 1743. "Barely a month after the inauguration of Teatro San Carlo, the music climate was different - says Zigante - Sarro was an erudite musician, with a strict contrapunctus training, while Leo ushered in a change of language and lyrical tone that would be the distinguishing feature of 18th-century Neapolitan School, and become a model for most European composers". The title refers to the tale narrated by Herodotus about the tyrant Cleisthenes Olympic Games of star-crossed love intrigues, oracles and sudden plot twists, including a case of sports deception. The last show of the 2016-17 Opera and Ballet Season, part of the Regione Campanias "Napoli Città Lirica" project will be broadcast live by Rai Radio Tre.