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 Austrian countertenor Max Emanuel Cenčić, in collaboration with the scenographer Helmut Stürmer and the costume designer Corina Grămoșteanu.
Performance language: Italian
Translation in surtitles: Latvian, English
Recommended age: 14+
Flavio, re de' Longobardi is a production of the Bayreuth Baroque Festival
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Act I
The action takes us into legendary early history, when Britannia was occupied by Lombardy and ruled by King Flavio and his wife Ermelinda.
The two statesmen Ugone and Lotario wish to negotiate the marriage of their children, Guido (Ugone’s son) and Emilia (Lotario’s daughter). Ugone also has a daughter, Teodata, whom he presents to the King; the latter immediately falls in love with her and appoints her to the queen’s retinue. However, Teodata is in love with the adjutant Vitige; they have both sworn eternal love and fidelity to each other.
Flavio receives news that the governor of Britannia wishes to resign for health reasons. Lotario was originally designated as his successor, but in order to gain easier access to Teodata, Flavio now names Ugone as the new governor of Britannia. Flavio discloses his love for Teodata solely to his adjutant Vitige – the latter, her secret lover, has to hide his own feelings and pretend to disfavour Teodata.
Enraged to have been cheated of the office of governor, Lotario hits Ugone, which Ugone reports to his son Guido and demands revenge. Guido is torn between filial duty and his love for Emilia. He begs eternal love and fidelity from Emilia, regardless of whatever might happen.
Act II
Flavio attempts to seduce Teodata; Ugone enters to express his outrage at Lotario’s blow. But Flavio interrupts him and orders him to depart for Britannia. Teodata misunderstands the situation and thinks Ugone has discovered her affair with Vitige. When she confesses this to her father, he accuses her of betraying the family.
Lotario threatens to disown his daughter Emilia if she continues her relationship with Guido. Nevertheless, Emilia swears to Guido her eternal fidelity. Guido himself plans to kill Lotario.
Teodata and Vitige decide to marry in secret. But first, Teodata should pretend to accept the king’s advances. Teodata warns Vitige not to be jealous.
Guido meets Lotario. A quarrel ensues and a duel, in which Guido mortally wounds his father-in-law. When Emilia finds her dying father, the latter names his murderer. Emilia is in despair.
Act III
Emilia and Ugone appear before the king. Emilia demands revenge for her father’s murder; Ugone attempts to justify his son’s deed. But Flavio can only think of his passion for Teodata.
Vitige is to mediate between Flavio and Teodata. When Teodata, as agreed upon with Vitige, accepts Flavio’s declarations, Vitige becomes aflame with jealousy.
Emilia and Guido meet. Guido offers her his sword with which he had killed Lotario. He would rather die by her hand than live without her; Emilia runs away in desperation.
When Teodata and Vitige are reconciled, they are overheard by Flavio, who now confronts the lovers with their deception. Guido appears and begs to be executed for Lotario’s murder.
Flavio now proves himself to be a cunning but equally benevolent ruler. He lets Emilia believe that Guido is dead. When Emilia doubts the truth of this news, the very person who was believed dead appears; now sure of Emilia’s love, the betrothed unite once more.
Now Flavio turns to Vitige and declares he will punish him for his deception: Vitige, who pretended in Act I to disfavour Teodata, should now marry the one he supposedly despises. Ugone must now depart at last to take over his governmental office in Britannia.
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