Teatro Real will host the theatre première of this opera by Nicola Antonio Porpora on 18 April 2027, which will make its debut in Madrid performed by Il Pomo d’Oro and conducted by Andrea Buccarella with vocals by Michael Spyres, Madison Nonoa, Margherita Sala, Arianna Venditelli, Chelsea Zurflüh and Alex Rosen. It will be performed in Italian with Spanish and English subtitles.
This production of Mithridates, composed by Antonio Porpora and based on Jean Racine’s tragedy of the same name, will be premièred at the Teatro Real in a concert version, featuring the tenor Michael Spyres in the title role of Mithridates.
It tells how King Mithridates VI has spread the false news of his death in battle in order to test the loyalty of his sons, Sifare and Farnace. He has left his fiancée, the beautiful Aspasia, in their care, but they both desire her. Aspasia asks Sifare to protect her from Farnace, who is trying to woo her, but is surprised to learn that Sifare also loves her.
Amid palace intrigues and passionate arias, Aspasia is torn between her love for Sifare and her loyalty to the king, while Mithridates struggles to maintain control of the kingdom and the princess’ love. The production explores themes such as love, betrayal, power and revenge, while also reflecting on the struggle between reason and passion and between duty and desire.
Artistic File:
- Musical Conductor - Andrea Buccarella
- Orchestra - Il Pomo d’ Oro
Cast:
- Mithridates - Michael Spyres
- Tigrane - Madison Nonoal
- Farnace - Margherita Sala
- Oronta - Arianna Venditelli
- Laodice - Chelsea Zurflüh
- Arbate - Alex Rosen
Programme:
Drama for music in three acts
- Music - Nicola Antonio Porpora (1686-1768).
- Libretto - Filippo Vanstriper.
- Premièred at the Teatro Capranica in Rome on 7 January 1730.
- Première at the Teatro Real.
- Opera in concerto version
Language: Italian
Subtitles: Spanish and English
