ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

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Rosmira (in the score manuscript Rosmira fedele) is an opera seria (RV 731, original designation: “Dramma per musica”) in three acts compiled by Antonio Vivaldi as Pasticcio on a libretto by Silvio Stampiglia. It was premiered on 27 January 1738 at the Teatro Sant’Angelo in Venice.

Action

Summary

First act. Several princes court the hand of Queen Partenope. Her favorite is Arsace from Corinth. She does not know that he has left his former fiancée Rosmira because of her. Armindo from Rhodes, on the other hand, hardly dares to confess his love to Partenope. In addition, the Armenian Eurimene arrives – in reality the disguised Rosmira, who wants to take revenge on Arsace and makes him swear not to reveal her identity. Eurimene/Rosmira also pretends to love Partenope. Emilio from Cumae, threatens war, should Partenope not accept his advertising. Since it rejects, a battle is inevitable. The Cretan princess Ersilla has followed Emilio and tries in vain to win him for himself. Partenope himself takes command of her troops. During the battle, Armindo saves them from the enemies. Arsace rescues Eurimene and captures Emilio.

Second Act. At the victory celebration, Eurimene/Rosmira claims victory for himself and defames Arsace, who is unable to defend himself because of his oath. The angry Partenope arrests Eurimene. Arsace stands up for him and achieves his release. His attempts to reconcile Rosmira remain unsuccessful. The others are confused about the strange relationship between Arsace and Eurimene.

Third Act. Eurimene reveals Arsace's past to the Queen and the others, explaining that he himself was sent by Rosmira to challenge Arsace to a duel. Partenope agrees. Before the fight, Arsace insists that both parties fight with their upper bodies bare. So he forces Rosmira to reveal her identity without breaking his oath. This clears the way for a happy ending: Partenope accepts Armindo's advertising, Rosmira and Arsace reconcile, and Emilio chooses Ersilla.

First act

Seaside Square with Partenope’s Throne, Apollo Statue and Ignited Altar

Scene 1. In a public ceremony, Queen Partenope asks the god Apollon for protection for the city she founded and named after her (now Naples). The people cheer on her (choir: “Viva viva Partenope viva”).

Partenope has two admirers, the Princes Arsace of Corinth and Armindo of Rhodes. Arsace has left his fiancée Rosmira, the princess of Cyprus, because of her. He is surprised when a foreign Armenian appears who looks amazingly similar to him. The Armenian claims that his name is Eurimene and that he was shipwrecked in a storm. He asks Partenope for help because he lost all his property in the accident