The Belgian musician, René Jacobs will be back at the Teatro Real on 25 April 2026 to present a concert adaptation of this three-act opera composed by Antonio Vivaldi.
Designed in 1724, with its libretto by Nicolò Beregan, it is set in the Byzantine Empire around the year 500 and tells the story of the rise of Giustino, a humble peasant, to the imperial throne, highlighting ideas, such as destiny, courage and redemption.
The story focuses on Giustino, a farmer who dreams of glory and is encouraged to follow his path with determination and courage by the Goddess Fortuna. Giustino saves Emperor Anastasio’s sister, Leocasta from a bear, which opens the doors of the court to him.
In parallel, the Emperor rejects the threats of the tyrant Vitaliano, who has invaded the empire and demands to marry Empress Arianna. During the war, Anastasio is captured and Arianna is offered to a sea monster as a sacrifice. Giustino, who is now a hero, rescues her, increasing his prestige. However, his rapid rise leads to jealousy and General Amanzio conspires against him, falsely accusing him of treason...
Born in Ghent (Belgium) in 1946, René Jacobs is a countertenor and Baroque and classical opera orchestra conductor who works with ensembles such as the Concerto Köln, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Akademie Für Alte Musik Berlin or the Nederlands Kamerkoor. He is also an interpretation and Baroque singing style teacher at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland and artistic director of the Innsbruck Festival of Ancient Music (Austria).
Artistic File:
- Musical Conductor - René Jacobs
Cast:
- Anastasio - Raffaele Pe
- Arianna - Katharyna Kasper
- Giustino - Christophe Dumaux
- Leocasta - Robin Johannsen
- Vitaliano - Siyabonga Maqungo
- Andronico - Helena Rasker
- Amanzio - Olivia Vermeulen
- Polidarte - Francesc Ortega i Martí
- Orchestra - Freiburger Barockorchester
Programme:
Opera in Three Acts, RV 717
- Music- Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
- Libretto - Nicolò Beregan
- Opera In concerto version
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