大象传媒

One of Mozart鈥檚 last operas, La clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus), is a story of friendship and forgiveness triumphing over jealousy and violence.

The new emperor of Rome, Titus, is much loved by the Roman people, with the exception of Vitellia, the daughter of the previous emperor. When her attempts to return to her rightful place on the throne through marriage are unsuccessful, Vitellia plots Titus鈥檚 assassination and enlists the help of her young admirer, Sextus. Sextus is close friends with Titus, but will do anything to gain the affections of Vitellia, so agrees to her plans. He sets fire to the Capitol, intending to trap Titus inside and kill him.

Meanwhile, Servilia (who is Sextu鈥檚 sister) has refused Titus鈥檚 marriage proposal because she is already engaged to Annius, Sextus鈥檚 close friend. Titus instead sends Publius, his captain of the guard, to take a marriage proposal to Vitellia on his behalf, but Publius arrives too late and the assassination plot is already in motion. Fortunately, Titus is not killed in the fire, but Sextus has gone missing. Annius finds his friend, who is torturing himself with the guilt of his crime, and tells him that Titus did not die in the fire and that Sextus should be honest with Titus and trust in his reputation for clemency. Sextus admits his guilt and faces trial and execution. Titus has explained several times in the opera how important clemency is to him and he now struggles with sentencing his friend. He questions Sextus privately and Sextus begs him to remember their friendship.

Alone and unaware of Titus鈥檚 trouble, Vitellia realises that Sextu鈥檚 life is too high a price to pay for her place on the throne and finally admits to Titus that she is responsible and asks him to spare Sextus鈥檚 live. Titus announces a pardon for all conspirators, to high praise from the Roman people. With some demanding roles for its small cast, La clemenza di Tito, features some really excellent arias and ensembles and is truly one of Mozart鈥檚 masterpieces.

Presented by Andrew McGregor

Pene Pati, tenor, Tito, a Roman Emperor
Karine Deshayes, mezzo-soprano, Vitellia, daughter of the deposed Emperor Vitellio
Marianne Crebassa, mezzo-soprano, Sesto, a young patrician, friend of Tito
Lea Desandre, mezzo-soprano, Annio, a young patrician, friend of Sesto
Emily Pogorelc, soprano, Servilia, sister of Sesto, in love with Annio
Nahuel Di Pierro, bass, Publio, Praetorian prefect, commander of the Praetorian Guard

Pygmalion Chorus
Pygmalion Ensemble

Rapha毛l Pichon, conductor

Recorded at the Grand Th茅芒tre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence in July 2024.

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