Ottone in villa

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Ottone in villa (Ottone in the city) was the first opera by Antonio Vivaldi. Its catalogue number is RV 729. Ottone, classified as an Italian opera, was written in 1713. It was commissioned by the governor of Vicenza, Antonio Francesco Farsetti. The libretto was written by Domenico Lalli, pseudonym of Sebastiano Biancardi. The opera was premiered at the theater of the Garzerie, in Vicenza, on 17 May 1713.

[edit] Score

Ottone in villa has a reduces score, compared with the average opera of the time. It has a cast of five singers, no chorus, and a small string orchestra plus 2 recorders, 2 oboes, bassoon and harpsichord. The characters are:

Cleonilla, soprano
Ottone, mezzo-soprano
Caio Silio, soprano
Decio, tenor
Tullia, soprano

[edit] Outline of plot

The Holy Roman Emperor Ottone is in love with Cleonilla, who can't resist flirting with two courtesans, Ostilio and Caio. Ostilio is in reality a woman, Tullia, who disguised herself because she's in love with Caio. She plans to kill Cleonilla out of jealousy, but she first tries to dissuade her from her relation with Caio. Caio sees the meeting and misinterpret it as a romantic encounter. He warns Ottone, who commands him to kill Ostilio. Before he can execute the order, Ostilio reveals himself to be Tullia. Cleonilla claims to have always known it, to conciliate Ottone. He believes her and the opera closes with the marriage of Tullia and Caio.