“Lucio Silla” is a thrilling psychograph that examines the dark side of human passions. In this early Mozart opera, the narrative about two lovers who stand up to the despotic regime of a tyrant is steeped in jealousy, hunger for power and envy. Inspired by a dark chapter in Roman history, 16-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart uncoils a highly emotional, profound drama in this masterpiece.
Lucio Silla reigns with an iron fist and mercilessly persecutes anybody who stands in his way. He sends his political opponent Cecilio into exile, but the latter furtively returns to his home country to reunite with his lover Giunia. But Silla, who has long convinced Giunia that Cecilio is dead, is trying to force her to marry him. Now Cecilio and Giunia must fight the tyrant together.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed “Lucio Silla” as a commissioned work for the city of Milan. With its multifaceted orchestration, its sombre tone and bold dramaturgic composition, in which plot and music are closely entwined, Mozart’s opera defied all conventions of the time in which it was created. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) created “Lucio Silla” for the carnival season of 1772. The libretto was written by Giovanni di Gamerra, who was known for his eerie and unconventional texts.
Even though “Lucio Silla” was a great success – with a total of 26 performances in its premiere season – it was Mozart’s last opera to see its world premiere in Italy. Amélie Niermeyer has directed opera productions e.g. at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, the Hamburg State Opera, the Theater an der Wien and the Bavarian State Opera. At the Salzburg State Theater she for instance staged “Stormy Interlude”, “Rigoletto” and “La clemenza di Tito” as well as Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Felsenreitschule. The Mozarteum Orchestra is conducted by Kapellmeister Carlo Benedetto Cimento.
