Mitridate

Opera by Nicola Antonio Porpora, based on Jean Racine's tragedy, with Michael Spyres in the title role and the orchestra Il Pomo d'Oro under the musical direction of Andrea Buccarella. It is presented at the Teatro Real in Madrid.

This production brings to the Teatro Real Nicola Antonio Porpora's Mitridate, with a libretto by Filippo Vanstriper, inspired by Jean Racine's tragedy of the same name. The plot follows King Mitrídates VI, who circulates false news of his death in battle to test the loyalty of his sons, Sifare and Farnace. Before disappearing, he leaves his fiancée, Aspasia, in the care of the court, although both princes court her.

When Farnace attempts to woo her, Aspasia seeks protection from Sifare and discovers that he too is in love with her. Amid palace intrigues and intense arias, she must choose between her inclination and loyalty to the monarch, while Mitrídates seeks to keep control of the kingdom and the princess's affection. The work deals with love, betrayal, power and revenge, and sets reason against passion and duty against desire.

The opera is sung in Italian, with surtitles in Spanish and English, and is presented without staging. Michael Spyres sings the title role, alongside Madison Nonoal (Tigrane), Margherita Sala (Farnace), Arianna Venditelli (Oronta), Chelsea Zurflüh (Laodice) and Alex Rosen (Arbate). It is a premiere of the work at the Teatro Real, a Madrid theatre devoted to opera, which also hosts concerts.