(Alexander Severus, HWV A13) is an opera by George Frideric Handel composed in 1738. It is one of Handel's three surviving pasticcio works,Hicks, Anthony, "Handel With Care" (November 1993). The Musical Times, 134 (1809): pp. 639-642. 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.Essays on Handel and Italian Opera ed Reinhard Strohm p.76
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.Hume, Robert D., "Handel and Opera Management in London in the 1730s" (October 1986). Music & Letters, 67 (4): pp. 347-362.
Roles + RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 25 February 1738Sallustia soprano Elisabeth Duparc ("La Francesina")Claudio sopranoMargherita Chimenti ("La Droghierina")Giulia contralto Antonia Merighi Eurilla mezzo-sopranoMaria Antonia Marchesini ("La Lucchesina")Alessandro mezzo-soprano castratoCaffarelliMarziano bass Antonio Montagnana
Synopsis The opera is based upon the story of the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus.
Recording The world premiere recording was produced by MDG - Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm and performed by Armonia Atenea on period instruments under the baton of George Petrou, with Mary-Ellen Nesi as Alessandro, Kristina Hammarström as Giulia, Marita Solberg as Salustia, Irini Karaianni as Albina, Gemma Bertagnoli as Claudio and Petros Magoulas as Marziano and dedicated to Anthony Hicks. www.mdg.de
References Notes
Sources
The second of the two volume definitive reference on the operas of Handel
External links Alessandro Severo at IMSLP.