The aria from "Truth in ordeal" -- Vivaldiana

Speranza

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"La verità in cimento" (Truth in ordeal) is an opera by Antonio Vivaldi to a libretto by Giovanni Palazzi.

The opera, which is Vivaldi's 13th, was premiered during the Carnival at Venice in 1720. The work is listed as RV739 in the Vivaldi catalogue.



[edit] RolesRole Voice type Premiere Cast, 1720
(Conductor: - )

Rosane -- soprano Anna Maria Strada
Rustena -- mezzo-soprano Chiara Orlandi
Melindo -- contralto Antonia Laurenti, "La Coralli".
Damira -- contralto Antonia Merighi
Zelim -- soprano (castrato) Girolamo Albertini
Sultan -- Mamud TENORE Antonio Barbieri

Mamud had two sons, one by his favourite Damira, one by the Sultana Rustena.

SON SWAP:

Mamud had his two sons exchanged at birth, so that "Melindo" (in truth, the son of Damira) is thought to be Mamud's legitimate heir, a position rightfully held by Zelim, rather.

When the marriage is proposed of Melindo to Rosane, the heiress to another Sultanate (and in fact beloved by Zelim), Mamud resolves to reveal the true state of affairs.

After various twists and turns, Zelim inherits the larger portion of his empire, while Melindo contents himself with a secondary kingdom (Rosane's country) and is allowed to marry the fickle princess Rosane.

This leaves everyone satisfied.

Recording

Ensemble Matheus, cond. Jean-Christophe Spinosi (2002)
[edit] ReferencesFrédéric Delaméa, tr. Charles Johnston, essays in booklet accompanying recording referred to above.