Seleuco, re di Siria (Seleucus, King of Syria) is an opera seria in three acts by Francesco Bianchi. The libretto was by Mattia Botturini, after Antioco by Apostolo Zeno and Pietro Pariati, a libretto first set by Francesco Gasparini in 1705.
Marita P. McClymonds notes that the work "is significant for its several ensembles (one incorporating chorus and dance), its choruses (sometimes functioning as a 'character' in the drama) and its multi-sectional, action-ensemble finale."McClymonds, Marita P (1992), 'Seleuco, re di Siria' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera vol 1 p 162
Performance history The opera was first performed at the Teatro San Benedetto in Venice on 26 December 1791.
Roles RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 26 December 1791(Conductor: Antonio Capuzzi) Seleuco (Seleucus), King of Syria tenor Giacomo David / Giuseppe Simoni Antioco (Antiochus), Seleuco's son, in love with Stratonicasoprano castrato Vitale Damiani / Paolo Belli Stratonica (Stratonice), betrothed to Seleuco, in love with Antioco soprano Maria Marchetti Fantozzi / Cecilia Bolognese Argene soprano Teresa Giurini / Anna Schiroli Tolomeo tenor Francesco Gafforini / Antonio Pozzi Nearco bass Filippo Boccucci
Synopsis Antioco agonizes between his loyalty to his father, Seleuco, and his love for his father's young bride Stratonice. Eventually the generosity of Seleuco resolves everything.
References
McClymonds, Marita P (1992), 'Seleuco, re di Siria' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, ed. Stanley Sadie (London)