Fausta (opera)

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Fausta is a melodramma, or opera, in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti. The Italian libretto was by Domenico Gilardoni, who died while writing it: the remainder was written by Donizetti. The opera debuted on 12 January 1832 at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples . It was written with prima donna Giuseppina Ronzi de Bergis in mind. When the opera was revived in 1833, Donizetti added a new love scene and duet.

The opera, based on historical events, involves the complications that ensue when Fausta falls in love with her step-son.

[edit] Roles

		Premiere, January 12, 1832
Constantino il Grande, emperor of Rome	baritone	Antonio Tamburini
Fausta, his second wife	soprano	Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis
Beroe, a prisoner, Crispo's beloved	mezzo-soprano	Virginia Eden
Crispo, son of Constantino and Minervina	tenor	Giovanni Basadonna
Massimiano, Fausta's father	bass	Giovanni Campagnoli
Licinia	contralto	Edvige Ricci
Albino, jailer	tenor	Giovanni Revalden
Kinsmen and confidantes of the emperor, senators, soldiers, people