Arsilda, regina di Ponto at Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Grand Théâtre

Vivaldi composed Arsilda, Regina di Ponto for the Venetian theatre of Sant’Angelo in 1716. Arsilda’s complex and totally implausible plot – concocted by his librettist Domenico Lalli – is typical of early eighteenth century works in its use of love intrigues, mistaken identity, and musical features such as simile arias. Tamese is set to become King of Cicilia but he is shipwrecked and presumed dead. His twin sister Lisea cannot become queen as the line of succession to the throne is exclusively male. Therefore Antipatra, mother of the twins and interim queen since the death of her husband convinces Lisea to disguise herself as a man and take on her brother Tamese’s identity. This in turn means that Lisea is now engaged to Arsilda, daughter to the King of Pontus. There are many twists and turns until the real Tamese returns – he did not perish in the accident – and all ends well with a double wedding.

This Luxembourg coproduction is under the musical direction of Václav Luks, founder of the Prague baroque orchestra Collegium 1704 which previously delighted Luxembourg audiences with the production of L?Olimpiade. With Luks, Collegium 1704 has quickly established itself among the world’s elite ensembles devoted to performing the music of the 17th and 18th centuries.