FULL Venceslao re di Polonia (Caldara) Warsaw 2024 Max Emanuel Cenčić, Nicholas Tamagna, Dennis Orellana, Sophie Junker

Information on the Performance

• Work Title: Venceslao re di Polonia  
• Composer: Caldara Antonio   
• Libretto: Apostolo Zeno  
• Venue & Opera Company: National Philharmonic, Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland  
• Recorded: 2024
• Type: Concert Live
• Singers: Max Emanuel Cenčić, Nicholas Tamagna, Dennis Orellana, Sophie Junker, Sonja Runje, Stefan Sbonnik, Tomáš Král
• Conductor: Martyna Pastuszka  
• Orchestra: {oh!} Orkiestra  
• Stage Director:   
• Costume Designer:   

Information about the Recording

• Published by: NCKultury  
• Date Published: 2024  
• Format: Streaming
• Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
• Subtitles: yessubs, othersubs  

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

  PROGRAM LEAFLET
  Venceslao is an opera seria (original title: “Dramma per musica”) in five acts by Antonio Caldara (music) with a libretto by Apostolo Zeno , the original version of which he had written in 1703 for an opera by Carlo Francesco Pollarolo . The premiere of Caldara’s opera took place on 4 November 1725 on the occasion of the name day of Emperor Charles VI in the Court Theater in Vienna.

  First Act. After a victory over the Cossacks, General Ernando is allowed to choose a reward. He does not want to ask for Erenice’s hand in marriage for himself, but for his friend Alessandro. The jealous Casimiro prevents this, however, and is admonished by his father. Lucinda, disguised as “Lucindo”, confronts Casimiro with his former promise of love. Casimiro denies everything. To put an end to his jealousy, Ernando advises Alessandro and Erenice to marry immediately. Casimiro puts pressure on his supposed rival Ernando. Erenice firmly rejects his proposal. Casimiro’s confidant Gismondo wants to help Lucinda.

  Second act. “Lucindo” presents Venceslao with his son’s written promise of marriage. Casimiro can no longer deny it, but tears up the document. “Lucindo” challenges him to a duel. Casimiro is rejected again by Erenice and soon learns that she wants to marry someone else. He thirsts for revenge.

  Third Act. Before the duel, Venceslao and the “Lucindo” appeal to Casimiro’s conscience once again, but to no avail. When he attacks, Lucinda reveals herself. The fight is cancelled. Casimiro throws his sword at Lucinda, declares himself the winner and claims that Lucinda is a liar. The following night, Gismondo and Venceslao anxiously search for Casimiro. When he arrives, he confesses to having killed Ernando. A little later, it turns out that the dead man is not Ernando, but Alessandro. Casimiro has unknowingly murdered his own brother. Venceslao has him thrown into prison and finds himself in a conflict of conscience: he does not want to lose his last son, but feels bound to the law. Lucinda offers to marry Casimiro as soon as possible so that he can receive immunity as King of Lithuania. This offends Venceslao’s sense of justice, but this is the only way to save Lucinda’s honour.

  Act Four. The repentant Casimiro is now ready to marry Lucinda. Erenice and Ernando join forces to avenge Alessandro. Venceslao performs the wedding ceremony. Lucinda’s honor is restored. Immediately afterwards, Venceslao announces the death sentence to his son. He is to die that same day.

  Fifth act. When they realize that Casimiro still has a lot of support among the people, Erenice and Ernando give up their revenge. Venceslao confirms the death sentence once again, but asks Erenice to make the final decision. She and Ernando ask for mercy for Casimiro. Then Gismondo reports a popular uprising, which the military and the Senate have also joined. They all demand that Casimiro, the heir to the throne, be spared. Venceslao then announces his resignation as king and appoints Casimiro as his successor. As the new ruler, Casimiro can absolve himself. After the coronation, Casimiro assures that he will respect the law. He brings Erenice and Ernando together and ascends the throne with Lucinda.

  Quoted from Wikipedia

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