''Nerone'' (''Nero'') is an

opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

in four acts composed by

Arrigo Boito Arrigo Boito (; born Enrico Giuseppe Giovanni Boito; 24 February 1842 10 June 1918) was an Italian librettist, composer, poet and critic whose only completed opera was ''Mefistofele''. Among the operas for which he wrote the libretto, libretti ar ...

, to a

libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...

in Italian written by the composer. The work is a series of scenes from Imperial Rome at the time of Emperor

Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( ; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68) was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his ...

depicting tensions between the Imperial religion and Christianity, and ends with the

Great Fire of Rome The Great Fire of Rome () began on 19 July 64 AD. The fire started in the merchant shops around Rome's chariot stadium, Circus Maximus. After six days, the fire was brought under control, but before the damage could be assessed, the fire reignit ...

. Boito died in 1918 before finishing the work.

Performance history

It was eventually premiered posthumously at

La Scala La Scala (, , ; officially , ) is a historic opera house in Milan, Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as (, which previously was Santa Maria della Scala, Milan, a church). The premiere performa ...

on 1 May 1924, conducted by

Arturo Toscanini Arturo Toscanini (; ; March 25, 1867January 16, 1957) was an Italian conductor. He was one of the most acclaimed and influential musicians of the late 19th and early 20th century, renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orche ...

in a version of the score completed by Toscanini, Vincenzo Tommasini, and Antonio Smareglia. The role of Nero, originally intended for Francesco Tamagno, was first performed by

Aureliano Pertile Aureliano Pertile (9 November 1885 – 11 January 1952) was an Italians, Italian lyric tenor. Many critics consider him one of the most exciting operatic artists of the inter-war period, and one of the most important tenors of the 20th century. ...

. The role of Asteria, a young woman torn between her love for Nero and her Christian sympathies, was created by Rosa Raisa. The opera was very well received at its premiere, and the newly rebuilt Rome Opera House inaugurated its first season with ''Nerone'' in 1928. However, it has only been rarely performed since that time, even in Italy. It did not receive its US premiere until 12 April 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the Opera Orchestra of New York conducted by Eve Queler in

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhattan), 57t ...

Roles

References

External links

*
"Boito ''Nerone'' C MAJOR Blu-ray 761304"
detailed synopsis, June 2002, musicweb-international.com {{Authority control Operas by Arrigo Boito 1924 operas Italian-language operas Operas Depictions of Nero in opera Opera world premieres at La Scala Libretti by Arrigo Boito Operas completed by others

Performance history

Roles

References

Further reading

External links