The Serenade of Delitti — Alessandro Stradella/David Pountney

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Warsaw Chamber Opera Theatre

Alessandro Stradella/David Pountney
La Serenata de' delitti
Libretto | David Pountney and Delia Casadei

Realizers
Music Management | Andrea De Carlo

Director | David Pountney

Scenography | Robert Innes Hopkins

Costumes | Marie-Jeanne Lecca
Assistant Conductor | Miłosz Korpol

Cast

Alessandro Stradella | Nicholas Tamagna, Rafal Tomkiewicz

Giudice Palla/Canaglia | Artur Janda

Giudice Scroto | Alexander Kunach, Zbigniew Malak

Bonocchio/Cardinal Bisato/Furio | Wojciech Gierlach, Tomasz Rak

Castro | Artur Plinta, Paul the Noble

Lucilla/Despina | Catherine Drelich, Teresa Marut

Vocal Ensemble of the Warsaw Chamber Opera
Vocal Band Manager | Alexander Ebert

Orchestra of Early Instruments of the Warsaw Chamber Opera

Musicae Antiquae Collegium Warsaw (MACV)
Conductor | Andrea De Carlo

Alessandro Stradella was a composer whose music delighted listeners. He also had a unique talent for seduction, improvisation and escaping the most difficult oppressions. His story begins in Rome, where two judges grapple with the consequences of their own sins. Stradella, disguised as a clergyman, convinces one of them that for the right amount he can regain his peace of conscience and obtain remission of his guilt. When morning comes, the money disappears, and there is no trace of the composer.

In Venice, Stradella becomes the singing teacher of Lucilla, the young mistress of the influential Monsignore Bisata. The lessons quickly become a pretext for meetings that the Monsignore should not see. A feeling arises between the teacher and the schoolgirl, and the lovers plan to escape, using music to confuse the vigilance of the household. However, their trick is discovered. The Monsignore's servants catch up with Stradella, brutally beat him and leave him badly wounded, convinced that he will not survive.

The composer escapes with his life, but his salvation comes at a price. In Naples, the man who provided him with shelter, care and the help of a doctor demands payment of a debt. He entrusts Stradella with a seemingly impossible task: to find for him an impeccable wife from the highest spheres, who will secure his position and open the door to the big world. Stradella answers this challenge with another, elaborately prepared hoax. He himself takes the form of a mysterious and seductive lady, creating an illusion to which his benefactor easily succumbs.

The last part of the story takes place in Genoa. Stradella remains in a relationship with Zenobia, who is in love with him, but her affection begins to tire him. He is much more interested in Despina, a young servant of his beloved. When Zenobia discovers betrayal, her love turns to anger and a desire for revenge. He turns to his influential father for help, who passes judgment on the composer. This time, cunning, grace and talent for escape may no longer be enough for Stradella to avoid the consequences of his actions.

“La Serenata de' Delitti” is a story about an artist whose ingenuity knew no bounds, and an indomitable desire for freedom, adventure and love constantly led him to danger. Four Italian cities, further disguises, romances and increasingly risky intrigues form a colorful story in which the comedy of manners gradually takes on darker tones and moves towards a criminal finale.

Music drawn from the works of Alessandro Stradelli lends rhythm and emotional intensity to the story — from the lightness of flirtation, perverse humor and situational comicism to jealousy, anger, revenge and death threats. The play shows a hero full of contradictions: a brilliant composer, seducer, fraudster and master of hoaxes, who again and again played with fate until he himself became a victim of his own passions.