Il Giustino

Best known for his orchestral works, Antonio Vivaldi was also a prolific opera composer. The 50-odd operas that have survived are probably only a fraction of his true output in that field. Premiered at Rome’s Teatro Capranica in 1724, Il Giustino was one of several Vivaldi composed for the city’s annual carnival season. Nicolò Beregan’s libretto (reused a decade later by Handel) is the all-action story of the ploughboy Giustino whose heroic bravery (surviving a shipwreck; battling a bear and a sea monster!) sees him rise to become co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. The story of Giustino’s humble beginnings draws out vivid pastoral music from Vivaldi, and Act I even sees a brief nod to “Spring” from The Four Seasons. Act II introduces a curious instrumental texture courtesy of the Greek psaltery (an ancient cousin of the zither), which brings a colourful jangle to Giustino’s “Ho nel petto un cor sì forte”. Anastasio’s bittersweet, lyrical “Vedrò con mio diletto” is another highlight.