MEDEA

Libretto by François-Benoît Hoffmann
Italian text by Carlo Zangarini
Music by Luigi Cherubini

CAST
Medea, soprano
Giasone, tenor
Creonte, bass
Neris, mezzo-soprano
Pedagogo, actor

Director: Fabio Midolo
Revival Director: Massimo Marani
Costume Design: Chiara Spanò
Costumes by: Sartoria Bianchi
Production: FuoriOpera

In Corinth, preparations are underway for the wedding of Creon’s daughter to Jason. Jason has abandoned Medea, the powerful sorceress who once betrayed her own family to help him steal the Golden Fleece and bore him two children. Medea gains entry to Creon’s palace, where she pleads with Jason to return to his family. When he refuses, she curses him and vows revenge.

Despite the attempts of her faithful servant Neris to persuade her to leave Corinth, Medea is determined to carry out her vengeance. Creon orders her to leave the city at once, but moved by her pleas, he grants her one final day with her children. She meets Jason once again, and together they recall the happier days of their love. Before departing, Medea instructs Neris to deliver to Jason’s bride the cloak and diadem she once received from Apollo.

Neris brings the two children to their mother. Suddenly, cries erupt from the temple: Creon and his daughter have been poisoned by Medea’s deadly gifts. As the enraged crowd closes in, Medea, Neris and the children seek refuge inside the palace. Jason bursts in to arrest Medea, but Neris emerges in horror to reveal that Medea has killed their children.

Finally, Medea appears, still clutching the bloodstained dagger, and declares that her revenge is complete. Overcome with grief, Jason dies, while Medea escapes in the chariot sent to her by Apollo.