Your date with Mitridate

In March 1770, the 14-year-old Mozart presented three magnificent arias at a soirée of Count Firmian’s in Milan: this led to his first commission, for an opera seria for one of Italy’s three principal theatres. The resulting opera Mitridate, re di Ponto has the advantage of being based on a great play – of the same name by Jean Racine. The same is true of Le Nozze di Figaro which he was to compose 15 years later. The tension in Mitridate is maintained throughout in a way that was impossible for tragedies of 18th-century origin with their genteel, rather bloodless behaviour. Unusually for Racine, nobody dies except the fierce old King; the Age of Enlightenment did like a happy ending. Acclaimed director, Claus Guth returns to Madrid to present this new production. For the premiere of this opera in the Spanish capital, Teatro Real has assembled an exceptional cast – among them Juan Francisco Gatell, Sara Blanch, Elsa Dreisig and Franco Fagioli – all well equipped for the vocal virtuosity of Mozart’s many arias, which get more and more beautiful as the opera proceeds.  Streamed for Slippedisc readers courtesy of OperaVision.

The Plot:  King Mitridate has left his empire in the care of his sons Sifare and Farnace while he is away at war. Deceived by a rumour of his father’s death, Farnace declares his love to the King’s betrothed, Aspasia. She seeks the protection of Sifare. Mitridate returns with Ismene as a bride for Farnace. When he hears of Farnace’s guilt, he determines to kill him. Will the ensuing intrigue of rivalry – in love and in politics – wind its way to a happy end?

Sung in Italian.  subtitles in Italian, Spanish and English

Streamed Friday 4th April 2025  at 1900 CET  / 1800 London   / 1300 New York