Flavio, King of Lombardy, desires his counsellor’s daughter, Teodata. His passion leads to a string of events, where love intrigues become enmeshed with political ones, and tragedy entwines comedy.

Handel composed his opera Flavio, re de' Longobardi back in 1723, counting on the vocal mastery of the Italian soloists Senesino and Francesca Cuzzoni, both of whom were held in high esteem in London. After enjoying repeat performances in 1732, it wasn’t until the 1960s that Flavio, re de' Longobardi returned to opera house repertoires. Today, it is considered a rarity in opera music.

The Latvian National Opera audiences will have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with this opera in the form of the highly acclaimed 2023 Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival production, directed by the notable Croatian countertenor Max Emanuel Cenčić, in collaboration with the scenographer Helmut Stürmer and the costume designer Corina Grămoșteanu.