Arsilda, regina di Ponto is a dramma per musica by Antonio Vivaldi to a libretto by Domenico Lalli. The opera was first performed at the Teatro Sant'Angelo in Venice on 27 or 28 October 1716.
Roles +RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 1716Arsilda, Queen of Pontosmezzo-sopranoAnna Vincenza DottiNicandro, noble from Bithyniasoprano (en travesti)Antonia Pellizzari Cisardo, Tamese's and Lisea's unclebassAngelo ZannoniTamese, King of CiliciatenorAnnibale Pio FabriBarzane, Prince of Lydiasoprano castratoCarlo Valcata Mirinda, noble confidante of LiseasopranoMaria Teresa CottiLisea, Tamese's sister, mistaken for her brothermezzo-sopranoAnna Maria Fabbri
Plot The plot was considered rather controversial at the time and led originally to censorship of the opera. It involves the title character falling in love with another woman dressed as a man.
Recordings Singers: Simonetta Cavalli, Lucia Sciannimanico, Elena Cecchi Fedi, Nicky Kennedy, Joseph Cornwell, Sergio Foresti, Alessandra Rossi. Conductor: Federico Maria Sardelli. Orchestra: Modo Antiquo, Coro da Camera Italiano. Date: 15–24 July 2001. Issued: 2004. Label: CPO 999 740-2 3CD José Coca Loza, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya (mezzo-soprano), Benedetta Mazzucato, Marie Lys (soprano), Shira Patchornik, Nicolò Balducci, Leonardo Cortellazzi, La Cetra Basel, Andrea Marcon Naive 3CD 2025
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