La clemenza di Tito - Keynotes & More

Inside Opera | La clemenza di Tito

Robert Holliston hosts Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia in a conversation about Pacific Opera Victoria’s upcoming production of Mozart’s LA CLEMENZA DI TITO.

La clemenza di Tito Synopsis

Act One

Vitellia, daughter of the late Roman emperor Vitellius (who was deposed by the present Emperor Tito’s father), wishes to regain the throne as the consort of Tito, whom she fancies. When she learns that Tito plans to marry the princess Berenice, Vitellia persuades Tito’s friend Sesto, who is in love with her, to assassinate the Emperor. But the Roman public’s demand that Tito choose a Roman empress causes him to renounce Berenice and send her away; thus Vitellia’s hopes that Tito will choose her as his Empress are revived, and she calls off the hit.

Tito now chooses Sesto’s sister Servilia as his bride, and sends Sesto’s friend Annio to inform Servilia. Annio and Servilia, unbeknownst to Tito, are in love, so they are saddened by this news. Servilia, sworn to obey her Emperor, nevertheless decides to be truthful about her real feelings; moved by Servilia’s honesty, Tito relinquishes her and blesses her betrothal to Annio. Simultaneously, Vitellia learns of Tito’s plan to marry Servilia, and she once again urges Sesto to assassinate him. Just after Sesto leaves to do the deed, Annio arrives with a guard to escort Vitellia to Tito, who has now chosen her as his empress. Wracked with guilt, Vitellia regrets sending Sesto on his murderous mission, but it is too late. Sesto is himself conscience-stricken, but the Capitol is set on fire. It is the accepted signal to overthrow the emperor. While the flames and mayhem spread, the Roman people express their terror. When Sesto tells Vitellia that Tito is slain, she begs him not to incriminate himself (and exposing her own part in the murder). All of Rome lament the death of Tito.

Act Two

In the imperial palace, Annio informs Sesto that Tito is still alive: amid the smoke and flames, Sesto had mistook another man for the Emperor. Sesto confesses his crime, but won’t divulge any reason for his actions. Vitellia begs Sesto to flee, but a fellow conspirator has already betrayed him, and he is summarily arrested. The Roman citizens rejoice that their Emperor has been spared. Tito cannot believe that Sesto would ever betray him, but is informed that Sesto has admitted his guilt before the Senate. Tito, having been urged to show compassion, refuses to sign the death decree until he has given Sesto a chance to explain himself. Sesto admits his crimes to Tito but declines to implicate Vitellia. Tito reluctantly condemns Sesto to death. Left alone, he is torn between his duty and his feelings, concluding that he can reign only if his power is rooted in love. Annio and Servilia beg Vitellia to use her influence to save Sesto; this means that she must admit her own guilt. At the arena where the conspirators await execution, Tito is about to show mercy to Sesto when Vitellia arrives and confesses her guilt. Again choosing clemency against all odds, Tito pardons Vitellia, Sesto, and all of the co-conspirators. As Tito’s subjects sing his praise, he declares that the gods may take his life on the day when clemency and the good of his country ceases to become his greatest concern.