This three-act opera is a hilarious parody of the 18th-century operatic world, gleefully mocking the behavior of all those involved through countless misunderstandings. The greed of producers, the pretentiousness of artists, the whims of divas, and their rivalries form the mechanics of a comedy that greatly entertains audiences. While the composer is not the most well-known of the Baroque era (even though he had a successful career at the Viennese court, where he was Salieri’s teacher), his librettist, on the other hand, enjoys a certain reputation. Ranieri de’ Calzabigi is, in fact, the figure behind the great operatic reform initiated with Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck.

Both men sought to address simpler themes, moving away from the tradition embodied by Metastasio, with his triumphant heroes and moralistic tales. By tackling a contemporary subject, L’Opera seria plays a role in the aesthetic debate of its time, offering a comedic portrayal of the serious melodrama world, balancing between the sublime and the ridiculous.

The plot, despite its misunderstandings, is relatively simple. After an exchange of pleasantries, the poet Delirio and the musician Sospiro fail to agree on the form of the new opera. The impresario Fallito intervenes, displeasing not only the two men but also the singers. After rehearsals, the performance of the pompous opera provokes mockery and comments from the audience. Only the intervention of the choreographer and the ballet corps saves the evening. In the end, the prima donnas argue, and it is revealed that the impresario has fled with the cash!

The task of amusing La Scala’s audience falls to the brilliant director Laurent Pelly, with a first-class cast—La Scala standard, of course! The renowned conductor Christophe Rousset will lead Les Talens Lyriques along with the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, performing on period instruments. Among the singers, Julie Fuchs and Pietro Spagnoli will undoubtedly make full use of their comedic talents. A delightful evening awaits at La Scala in Milan!

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Christophe Rousset – c – Eric Larrayadieu

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