Poro, re nell’Indie

Concert performance in Italian with German surtitles
Introduction to the work 30 minutes before curtain-up

DRAMMA PER MUSICA IN THREE ACTS
LIBRETTO AFTER PIETRO METASTASIO

In late 1720s’ London, Handel’s operatic empire was facing a financial crisis: the castrato Senesino, his company’s principal draw, had turned his back on the city and Johann Christoph Pepusch’s English-language Beggar’s Opera had shown audiences that an enjoyable evening at the theatre could be had even without Italian coloratura arias. Handel responded in his own way: he persuaded Senesino to return by promising him a particularly spectacular role. For the new opera he turned to Metastasio’s libretto Alessandro nell’Indie which portrays Alexander the Great’s military campaign in India. However, Handel shifted the perspective: Leonardo Vinci’s version – presented this season at the MusikTheater an der Wien as a staged production – centres on the eponymous hero Alessandro, while Handel focuses on the Indian king Poro, which is the role he wrote for Senesino. The premiere in 1731 was a triumph: it is on record that King George II enjoyed the work so much that he saw it nine times. In Vienna, the title role is played by one of the greatest countertenors of our day, Max Emanuel Cencic.

Synopsis

Act 1

Alessandro has conquered India and its King, Poro, who in despair wants to take his own life, but is restrained by his friend Gandarte who reminds the King of his loving wife Queen Cleofide and how distraught she would be at his death. To prevent the King's capture by the advancing troops, he and Gandarte switch clothes so that Gandarte now appears to be the King and the King a simple warrior, "Asbite". Poro in this disguise is captured however and taken to Alessandro.

Poro's sister Erissena is also taken to Alessandro and captivates both the commander and his general, Timagene.

Poro in disguise makes his way into the palace where he is reunited with his wife Cleofide. He is distraught however when she sends a friendly greeting to the victorious Alessandro and sets out to pay him a visit, fearing that his wife will betray him with the conqueror. Gandarte brings word to Poro that Alessandro has fallen for their disguise and believes Gandarte to be the King, and that Alessandro's troops are dissatisfied and planning to mutiny.

Gandarte is in love with Erissena and is unhappy to find her full of praise for the many qualities of Alessandro.

Cleofide appeals to Alessandro to show mercy to her defeated husband. Alessandro is charmed by Cleofide's person, which Poro observing in his disguise as "Asbite" feels is evidence that his wife is planning to betray him. Cleofide accuses her husband of suspecting her unjustly.

Act 2

Alessandro pays a visit to Cleofide in the palace, further inflaming Poro's jealousy, who decides to launch an attack against Alessandro with his army, but he is once again defeated. In despair, he decides that the only way out is death both for himself and his wife and is going to kill first her and then himself but he is discovered by Alessandro just as he is about to stab Cleofide and Alessandro has the supposed "Asbite" arrested.

Timagene releases "Asbite" however. Timagene knows that Alessandro's troops are planning to mutiny and is now on their side. He thinks "Asbite" may be able to help them.

Alessandro proposes to Cleofide that she become his Queen now, but she refuses. Erissena brings terrible news – Poro in trying to escape, has been drowned attempting to cross a river. Cleofide is devastated.

Act 3

Erissena meets the disguised Poro in the royal gardens, astonished to find him alive. Poro is determined to be revenged on Alessandro and conspires with Timagene to kill him.

Cleofide tells Alessandro she will marry him after all, but really she is planning to immolate herself on a pyre directly after the marriage.

In the temple prepared for the marriage, with a sacrificial fire upon which Cleofide intends to throw herself, she is about to marry Alessandro when Poro appears and sinks to his knees before his wife, begging her to change her mind. For the first time, Alessandro realises that "Asbite" is really Poro and is deeply moved by such marital devotion. Alessandro forgives the conspiracy against him, will allow Poro and Cleofide to live together undisturbed and requests Poro's hand in friendship. All celebrate the fortunate outcome of events.

Program and cast

Conductor: Martyna Pastuszka

Poro: Max Emanuel Cencic

Cleofide: Julia Lezhneva

Erissena: Lucile Richardot

Gandarte: Rémy Brès-Feuillet

Alessandro: Hugo Hymas

Timagene: Timothy Edlin