Francesco Cavalli: Il Xerse [Blu-ray]

Francesco Cavalli succeeded Monteverdi as the most influential composer of the new genre of opera that emerged in mid-17th-century Venice. Il Xerse is a fictitious dramma per musica that tells of Persian King Xerxes’ love for Romilda, who in turn is in love with his brother Arsamene. The plot is an entertaining and extremely intricate human comedy of crossed loves, court intrigues and disguises – the work’s popularity saw it staged in Paris at the wedding of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain. Since overshadowed by Handel’s later Xerxes, this Martina Franca production is the first in modern times.

‘Festival della Valle d’Itria, audience standing to applaud Xerse by director Leo Muscato. Great success for the first of Xerse. A standing audience and several minutes of applause greeted the singing actors, the orchestral players and the conductor with the director Leo Muscato who signed this success. At the Verdi theatre, dreams come to life and theatrical works become reality even after 367 years from their debut: we waited so long but it was worth it.’ – Noi Notizie

‘Pages of ancient music in Martina Franca: applause for the première of “Xerse” The singing company was well cohesive among which the countertenor Carlo Vistoli stood out in the main role of the king of Persia together with Carolina Lippo (Romilda), Gaia Petrone (Arsamene), Ekaterina Protsenko (Amastre), Dioklea Hoxha (Adelanta) and Carlo Allemano (Ariodate). At the end the audience cheered all the singers, the director and the conductor with thunderous applause.’ – Buonasera Taranto

Recording place: Teatro Verdi, Martina Franca, Italy
Recording date: 25, 29, 31 July 2022