Melodramma eroico in 2 acts.
Libretto by Gaetano Rossi after Voltaire
World premiere February 6 1813, Teatro La Fenice, Venice
This production first seen June 7 2026
Sung in Italian with German & English surtitles
Introductory talks in the Holzyfoyer 30 mins before curtain up, here, and everywhere podcasts are to be found
Syracuse is surrounded by Saracens. Solidarity against the enemy paramount. But treason seems to lurk within their own walls: an intercepted letter’s wrongly interpreted and Ameniade, their leader Argirio’s daughter, accused of being secretly in love with the Saracen prince. Found guilty of high treason, her own father sentences her to death. The man the letter was intended for finds his way into the city incognito: Tancredi, who was banished many years before. He secures her pardon, in a duel with Orbazzano, who Argirio promised could marry Ameniade, through god’s judgement, but no longer believes in her love. When Tancredi’s mortally wounded, leading the army against the enemy, he finds out on his deathbed that Ameniade was always faithful to him.
Tancredi was 20 year old Rossini’s first opera seria, and sealed his fame. This rarely performed work allows a no holds barred look at the world today in its radicalised paranoia, but still has unique musical charm. Writing the title role for a mezzo-soprano was unusual too. The score’s true to 18th century bel canto, full of classical grace while forging new paths. There was a happy end to the world premiere in Venice, which Rossini replaced with a tragic one when it was next performed, in Ferrara, the version being performed here in Frankfurt.
