MIDSUMMER MOZARTIADE
LA CLEMENZA DI TITO
MUSIC BY W.A. MOZART
LIBRETTO BY C. MAZZOLÀ, AFTER P. METASTASIO
LIBRETTO BY C. MAZZOLÀ, AFTER P. METASTASIO
La clemenza di Tito (1791) is both a retrospective look at “opera seria” and a work of classical nobility that ushers in the new century. Metastasio said he had conceived the libretto as “a mirror for princes,” an historical parable offered to a contemporary head of state not so that he could see what he was but see what he might become. Mozart elected to emphasize the individual rather than the position. Forgiveness can be seen as the single most recurring theme in all of Mozart’s operas, and it pulses through La clemenza di Tito from the title itself to the final scene. Titus is, of course, its embodiment. He has been tried, but masters himself, and it is that personal drama that is enacted, almost ritualistically, while around that slow transformation passions swirl, bonds are broken, anarchy threatens. It is, finally, the sweet grandeur of the music that mends, restores, and triumphs. This masterpiece, Mozart’s last composition for the stage, is a powerful fable about friendship and love, betrayal and forgiveness.
The plot?
Ten years ago, four soldiers (friends bound by a sacred oath) returned to Rome from the war in Palestine. Since then, one (Tito) has succeeded his father as emperor and the others (Sesto, Annio and Publio) have been elevated to positions of trust around the throne. Public opinion is pushing the emperor to take a wife to secure the dynasty. But all his attempts to impose Berenice, princess of Palestine, have failed. Rome will only accept one of its own noblewomen as Empress. Tito bows to the will of the people and dismisses his "Jewish queen". Vitellia is ready to do anything to take her "legitimate" place on the throne. She now faces a single rival, the noble and sincere Servilia. Vitellia ruthlessly seduces Sesto to assassinate his imperial friend. And Rome becomes a powder keg ready to explode.
The plot?
Ten years ago, four soldiers (friends bound by a sacred oath) returned to Rome from the war in Palestine. Since then, one (Tito) has succeeded his father as emperor and the others (Sesto, Annio and Publio) have been elevated to positions of trust around the throne. Public opinion is pushing the emperor to take a wife to secure the dynasty. But all his attempts to impose Berenice, princess of Palestine, have failed. Rome will only accept one of its own noblewomen as Empress. Tito bows to the will of the people and dismisses his "Jewish queen". Vitellia is ready to do anything to take her "legitimate" place on the throne. She now faces a single rival, the noble and sincere Servilia. Vitellia ruthlessly seduces Sesto to assassinate his imperial friend. And Rome becomes a powder keg ready to explode.
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ENGUERRAND DE HYS TITO, ROMAN EMPEROR
KAREN VERMEIREN VITELLIA, DAUGHTER OF DEPOSED EMPEROR VITELLIUS
PAULINE CLAES SESTO, FRIEND OF TITO, IN LOVE WITH VITELLIA
JULIE VERCAUTEREN ANNIO, FRIEND OF SESTO, IN LOVE WITH SERVILIA
LAURA TELLY CAMBIER SERVILIA, SISTER OF SESTO, IN LOVE WITH ANNIO
SHADI TORBEY PUBLIO, FRIEND OF TITO, COMMANDER OF THE PRAETORIAN GUARD
ORCHESTRE ROYAL DE CHAMBRE DE WALLONIE
ENSEMBLE VOCAL LE PETIT SABLON
GABRIEL HOLLANDER CONDUCTOR
DAVID MILLER MUSICAL ADVISER
THIBAUT LENAERTS CHORUS MASTER
ERIC GOBIN STAGE DIRECTOR
GAËL BROS COSTUMES
FRÉDÉRIC PHILIPPE SET
BENOIT THÉRON LIGHTING
PRIMO LUNGHI ITALIAN COACH
FRANÇOISE PONTHIER MOVEMENT COACH
LIONEL BAMS, NOEMI BIRO REHEARSAL PIANISTS
KAREN VERMEIREN VITELLIA, DAUGHTER OF DEPOSED EMPEROR VITELLIUS
PAULINE CLAES SESTO, FRIEND OF TITO, IN LOVE WITH VITELLIA
JULIE VERCAUTEREN ANNIO, FRIEND OF SESTO, IN LOVE WITH SERVILIA
LAURA TELLY CAMBIER SERVILIA, SISTER OF SESTO, IN LOVE WITH ANNIO
SHADI TORBEY PUBLIO, FRIEND OF TITO, COMMANDER OF THE PRAETORIAN GUARD
ORCHESTRE ROYAL DE CHAMBRE DE WALLONIE
ENSEMBLE VOCAL LE PETIT SABLON
GABRIEL HOLLANDER CONDUCTOR
DAVID MILLER MUSICAL ADVISER
THIBAUT LENAERTS CHORUS MASTER
ERIC GOBIN STAGE DIRECTOR
GAËL BROS COSTUMES
FRÉDÉRIC PHILIPPE SET
BENOIT THÉRON LIGHTING
PRIMO LUNGHI ITALIAN COACH
FRANÇOISE PONTHIER MOVEMENT COACH
LIONEL BAMS, NOEMI BIRO REHEARSAL PIANISTS
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Would you like to know more?
Come to the Petite Salle an hour before the performance for an informative 30-minute presentation on Mozart’s last composition for the opera stage. Our pre-show talks are the perfect introduction for anyone, opera lover or curious newcomer, who wants to know more about the opera he or she is about to see. They will be given again this year by musicologists Arne Herman (in Dutch on 20.06 and 24.06) and Hugo Rodriguez (in French on 22.06 and 27.06).
Come to the Petite Salle an hour before the performance for an informative 30-minute presentation on Mozart’s last composition for the opera stage. Our pre-show talks are the perfect introduction for anyone, opera lover or curious newcomer, who wants to know more about the opera he or she is about to see. They will be given again this year by musicologists Arne Herman (in Dutch on 20.06 and 24.06) and Hugo Rodriguez (in French on 22.06 and 27.06).
AN AMADEUS & CO PRODUCTION