Alessandro Severo

Alessandro Severo (Alexander Severus, HWV A13) is an opera by George Frideric Handel composed in 1738. It is one of Handel's three pasticcio works,[1] made up of the music and arias of his previous operas Giustino, Berenice and Arminio. Only the overture and recitatives (as well as the words) were new. The impresario Johann Jacob Heidegger probably selected the 1717 libretto by Apostolo Zeno, originally written for Antonio Lotti and re-used by many composers thereafter.[2]

Alessandro Severo
Opera by George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel, portrayed by Balthasar Denner, 1729
LibrettistApostolo Zeno?
LanguageItalian
Premiere
25 February 1738 (1738-02-25)
King's Theatre, Haymarket, London

Performance history

Alessandro Severo was not a success at its premiere under the direction of the composer on 25 February 1738 at the King's Theatre, London.[3]

Roles

Roles, voice types, and premiere cast
RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 25 February 1738
SallustiasopranoElisabeth Duparc ("La Francesina")
ClaudiosopranoMargherita Chimenti ("La Droghierina")
GiuliacontraltoAntonia Merighi
Eurillamezzo-sopranoMaria Antonia Marchesini ("La Lucchesina")
Alessandromezzo-soprano castratoCaffarelli
MarzianobassAntonio Montagnana

Synopsis

The opera is based upon the story of the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus.

References

Notes

Sources

  • Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Alessandro Severo, 25 February 1738". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
  • Dean, Winton (2006), Handel's Operas, 1726-1741, Boydell Press, ISBN 1-84383-268-2 The second of the two volume definitive reference on the operas of Handel