Hamlet is one of the great stories in cultural history: the combination of thriller and philosophical drama proved to be a guarantee of success. One of the least known and certainly most unusual opera versions is Francesco Gasparini's Ambleto, which premiered in Venice in 1706. This highly virtuoso Baroque opera is based on the Danish chronicles Gesta Danorum, which also inspired Shakespeare, but here the focus is entirely on the tragic story of revenge. Gasparini, a pupil of Arcangelo Corelli and teacher of Domenico Scarlatti, whose music inspired Johann Sebastian Bach, wrote his successful piece for the castrato Nicolini, who was also gifted as an actor. The latter ensured that Ambleto was put on the programme in London in 1712 - and the sheet music there has survived to this day.

This unusual production celebrated its premiere yesterday evening. Director Ilaria Lanzino, who has already staged La liberazione at the Kammeroper with great success, brought the work to the stage with both sensitivity and bloodthirstiness. Countertenor Raffaele Pe shone in the virtuoso title role. Other roles were played by Maayan Licht, Ana Maria Labin and Erika Baikoff, Miklós Sebestyén and Nikolay Borchev. The orchestra La Lira di Orfeo played under the direction of its concertmaster Elisa Citterio. The audience thanked all participants with long-lasting applause.

Further information and tickets