Teuzzone Explained

Teuzzone
Composer:Antonio Vivaldi
Image Upright:1.1
Librettist:Apostolo Zeno
Language:Italian
Premiere Location:Teatro Arciducale, Mantua

Teuzzone is the twelfth Italian opera composed by Antonio Vivaldi in 1719 to a libretto by Apostolo Zeno of 1706, which was first performed at the Teatro Arciducale in Mantua.

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast
(Conductor: –)
Troncone, Emperor of ChinatenorGiuseppe Pederzoli
Teuzzone, his son, in love with and betrothed to Zelindasoprano (en travesti)Margherita Gualandi, "la Campioli"
Zidiana, bride but not wife of Troncone, secretly in love with TeuzzonecontraltoAnna Ambreville
Zelinda, Tartar princess, in love with TeuzzonecontraltoTeresa Mucci
Cino, governor of the realm, in love with Zidianasoprano castratoGasparo Geri
Sivenio, a general of the realm, in love with ZidianabassFrancesco Benedetti
Egaro, captain of the guards, relative and confidant of Zidianacontralto castratoLorenzo Beretta
Argonte, Tartar prince and confidant of ZelindatenorGiuseppe Pederzoli
Chorus of soldiers, guards and people

Synopsis

The plot concerns the aftermath of Troncone's death, where his wife Zidiana schemes with the governor Cino and the general Sivenio to seize power, even though Teuzzone is the rightful heir. Zelinda, the fiancée of Teuzzone, is a powerful woman in her own right and fights against this move, especially when it becomes clear that Zidiana's plan is to marry Teuzzone for herself.

Recordings

Conductor: Sandro Volta. Orchestra dell'Opera Barocca di Guastalla. Singers: Pagano, Barazzoni, Bortolanei, Piccini, Lippi, Favari, Manzotti. Date: 1996. Issued: 1996.

Conductor: Jordi Savali. Le Concert des Nations. Singers: Lopez, Milanesi, Galou, Mameli, Zanasi, Giovannini, Sakurada. Label: Naive. Issued: 2011.

External links