Premiered in 1913 at La Scala in Milan, Montemezzi’s opera became an international success.
Forty years after conquering Altura, the blind king Archibaldo faces growing resentment from its people. He recalls the conquest as a thrilling victory, likening it to winning a beautiful woman. His son, Manfredo, is married to the Alturan princess Fiora, who secretly loves another Alturan prince, Avito. Though Archibaldo suspects Fiora’s infidelity, his blindness and uncooperative servants leave him without proof.
Amid love duets and tense confrontations, Archibaldo grows increasingly enraged and strangles Fiora at the end of the second act. In the final act, Fiora’s body lies in a crypt as the Alturans mourn. Archibaldo poisons her lips, intending to trap her lover. Avito kisses Fiora and dies, revealing their affair to Manfredo, who, in grief, also kisses her and succumbs. Archibaldo enters to confirm his scheme but is devastated to hear the voice of his dying son.
Starring:
- Andrea Silvestrelli | King Archibaldo
- Maria Kanyova | Fiora
- Franco Pomponi | Manfredo
- Andrew Morestein | Avito
- Matthew DiBattista | Flaminio
- Aldo Alan Navarette | Giovanetto/Fanciulo
- Jade Dasha | Ancella/Giovanetta
- Viktoria Vizin | Una Vecchia
Chorus:
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- Floriana Bivona
- Lizzie Broeker
- Melanie Budreck
- Winifer Castaneda
- Jorie Clark
- David Green
- Abigail Greer Arcamona
- Lauren Ingebrigtsen
- Marlina Karimi
- Ally Lewkowski
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- Jake Luellen
- Margaret Meierhenry
- Gisella Milla
- Chimerie Obianom
- Brian Pember
- Leah Rockweit
- Pamela Spann
- Meg Thomas-Cary
- Jose Vargas Ramirez
- Carmen Vizin
- Kevin Wheatle
Crew
Conductor: Uff. Emanuele Andrizzi
Director: Sasha Gerritson
Chorus Master: Richard Robbins
Assistant Conductor: Catherine O’Shaunessy
Production Manager/Technical Director: Darren Brown
Costume Designer: Bill Morey
Costumes Supervisor: Erzebet Schneider
Set Designer: Shane Cinal
Projections Designer: Andres Fiz
Lighting Designer: Mike Goebel
Recording Engineer: Mary Mazurek
Hair & Wigs Designer: Melanie Saso
Makeup Designer: Erin Austin
Supertitle design: Sasha Gerritson
Supertitle Operator: Hannah Zizza
Assistant to the Director: Gisella Milla
Master Electrician: Sebastian Medina
Assistant Lighting Designer: Hannah Wein
Stage Manager: Rachel Rock
Publicity Director: James Juliano (SHOUT!)
House Manager: Lorenzo Formosa
Orchestra Manager: Natalie Zoia
Social Media: Emily Zwijack
Production Assistant: Jacob Little
Production Assistant: Kaylea Meyers
Accompanist: Irina Feoktistova
Chorus Accompanist: Leo Radosavljevich