Organization

Singer

Tenor

Rolando Villazón

Alessandro

Soprano

Martina Janková

Aminta

Malin Hartelius

Elisa

Benjamin Bernheim

Agenore

Conductor

William Christie

Stage director

Grischa Asagaroff

Set designer

Luigi Perego

Costume designer

Lighting designer

Hans-Rudolf Kunz

Opernhaus Zürich

Italian

Il re pastore -  (The Shepherd King)

Zurich

Switzerland

Opernhaus

The Shepherd King

German

English

Approved

A cultural commitment by Credit Suisse Conductor - William Christie Production - Grischa Asagaroff Equipment - Luigi Perego Lighting design - Hans-Rudolf Kunz Choreography - Stefano Giannetti Orchestra - Orchestra of the Zurich Opera With Eva Mei (Elisa, nobile ninfa di Fenice, amante d'Aminta), Martina Janková (Aminta, pastore, amante d'Elisa), Sandra Trattnigg (Tamiri, filiuola del tiranno Stratone, amante d'Agenore); Rolando Villazon (Alessandro, re di Macedonia), Benjamin Bernheim (Agenore, nobile di Sidona, amico d'Alessandro) The young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not lacking in self-confidence. When he was commissioned in March 1775 to compose an opera for Archduke Maximilian Franz's visit to Salzburg, he set a libretto to music that had been set to music by the most famous composers of the era: "Il re pastore" based on a text book of the imperial court poet Pietro Metastasio. The focus is on the amorous shepherd Aminta, in whom the general Alexander of Macedonia recognizes the rightful heir to the throne of the Phoenician Sidon. When Alexander offers him the throne, Aminta refuses because he fears that he will have to give up his beloved Elisa. Alexander is enthusiastic about so much generosity and therefore makes the couple rulers of Sidon. Mozart's Serenata already points to later masterpieces in many places and, with “L'amerò, sarò costante”, contains one of the composer's most beautiful arias. Director Grischa Asagaroff and outfitter Luigi Perego have set “Il re pastore” in the atmospheric ambience of an expansive, picturesque fountain, as can be found in many baroque parks north and south of the Alps. The Zurich cast of «Il re pastore» is top-class. Star tenor Rolando Villazón shines in the role of Alexander the Great. Martina Janková as Aminta, Eva Mei as Elisa, Sandra Trattnigg as Tamiri and Benjamin Bernheim as Agenore are equal partners in Zurich. William Christie at the podium of the «Orchestra La Scintilla» at the Zurich Opera ensures the perfect Mozart sound.

THE SHEPHERD KING - MOZART

The Shepherd King by Mozart, From (2011/2011), Directed by Grischa Asagaroff,, Conductor William Christie, Opernhaus, Zurich, Switzerland

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

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Program, About & Synopsis

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