- Alessandro Severo
"Alessandro Severo" ("Alexander Severus") is an
opera byGeorge Frideric Handel composed in 1738. It is one of Handel's threepasticcio works [Hicks, Anthony, "Handel With Care" (November 1993). "The Musical Times", 134 (1809): pp. 639-642.] , made up of the music andaria s of his previous operas "Giustino ", "Berenice" and "Arminio ". Only theoverture and recitatives (as well as the words) were new.Performance history
"Alessandro Severo" was not a success at its premiere under the direction of the composer on 25 February
1738 at theHaymarket Theatre ,London . [Hume, Robert D., "Handel and Opera Management in London in the 1730s" (October 1986). "Music & Letters", 67 (4): pp. 347-362.]Roles
*Sallustia,
soprano Elisabeth Duparc, "La Francesina"
*Claudio, soprano Margherita Chimenti, "La Drogherina"
*Giulia,contralto Antonia Margherita Merighi
*Albina,mezzo-soprano Maria Antonia Marchesini, "La Lucchesina"
*Alessandro,castrato Caffarelli
*Marziano, bassAntonio Montagnana ynopsis
The opera is based upon the story of the Roman Emperor
Alexander Severus .References
* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=25&Mese=02&Anno=1738&Giornata=&Testo=Alessandro+Severo&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Almanac, accessed 5 June 2008]
*citation|first=Winton|last=Dean|title=Handel's Operas, 1726-1741|publisher=Boydell Press|year=2006
id=ISBN 1843832682 The second of the two volume definitive reference on the operas of Handel
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