Written for the coronation in Prague of the emperor Leopold II as king of Bohemia, La Clemenza di Tito was first performed on the 6th September, 1791 three months before the composer’s death on December 5th of that year. Unlike the da Ponte operas, the solemnity of the occasion demanded an opera seria; the story was adapted from a libretto by Pietro Metastasio – which had already used by several composers – by da Ponte’s successor as court poet Caterino Mazzolà.
While we have no idea what the newly crowned king thought of the piece, his wife, the empress Maria Luisa, described it rather damningly as ‘una porcheria tedesca’ [a German piggishness]. And in this she rather set a precedent, since of all Mozart’s major late music, the opera seems to have attracted more adverse criticism than any other.
But, as sometimes happens, since (roughly) the second half of the twentieth century, there’s been a reappraisal of the work; and, while opinions are still divided, there seems to be generally a more positive reaction in terms of the number of performances and critical evaluation.
The performance below has English subtitles, so here’s just a brief outline of the plot of Act I (you can access sample arias/duets sung by the main characters by clicking on their vocal range e.g. soprano):
Rome, first century AD. The Roman emperor Tito (tenor) is in love with Berenice, daughter of the king of Judea. Vitellia (soprano), the former emperor’s daughter, feels that she should hold the throne herself and asks her young admirer Sesto (originally a castrato role but now sung by either a mezzo-soprano or countertenor) to assassinate Tito. Though he is a close friend of the emperor, Sesto will do anything to please Vitellia, so he agrees. When Sesto’s friend Annio (male character sung by mezzo-soprano) tells him that Tito, for reasons of state, will not marry Berenice, Vitellia becomes hopeful again and asks Sesto to put off the assassination plot. Annio reminds Sesto of his own wish to marry Sesto’s sister Servilia (soprano). The two men affirm their friendship.
At the forum, the Romans praise Tito. The emperor tells Annio and Sesto that since he has to take a Roman wife he intends to marry Servilia. Diplomatically, Annio assures Tito that he welcomes his decision. Tito declares that the only joy of power lies in the opportunity to help others. When Annio tells Servilia of the emperor’s intentions, she assures him of her love.
In the imperial palace, Tito explains his philosophy of forgiveness to Publio (bass), the captain of the guard. Servilia enters and confesses to the emperor that she has already agreed to marry Annio. Tito thanks her for her honesty and says he will not marry her against her wishes. Vitellia, unaware that Tito has changed his mind, furiously insults Servilia and asks Sesto to kill the emperor at once. He assures her that her wish is his command. After he has left, Publio and Annio tell Vitellia that Tito has decided to choose her as his wife. Vitellia desperately tries to stop Sesto but realizes it is too late.
Sesto has launched the conspiracy and set fire to the Capitol. Full of shame, he runs into Annio, evades his questions and rushes off. Servilia appears, then Publio, and finally Vitellia. They are all searching for Sesto and believe that Tito has died. Sesto returns, looking for a place to hide. He is about to confess his crime but is silenced by Vitellia.
Act I
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