Spartaco

SPARTACO - Giuseppe Porsile

DRAMMA PER MUSICA IN THREE ACTS

LIBRETTO BY GIOVANNI CLAUDIO PASQUINI

Slave rebellion at the Vienna court (theatre)! Here it was that, in 1726, Giuseppe Porsile staged the dramatic story of Spartacus and the revolt he led. Naples-born Porsile had been living in the emperor’s city since 1713. Seven years later, he was at last given the engagement at court he had desired for so long. The years that followed proved to be his most successful as a theatre composer, yielding over twenty stage works and thirteen oratorios. The cast for the premiere of Spartaco included the singer Faustina Bordoni who, that same year, left for London where she advanced to the status of a celebrated prima donna in works by George Frideric Handel. Giuseppe Porsile composed in the Neapolitan style, which was later to influence Viennese compositional style. Spartaco tells the story of the most famous slave rebellion of the ancient world, albeit from a Baroque perspective: Consequently, the plot does not centre on the struggle of downtrodden slaves against a tyrannical ruling class (as in Stanley Kubrick’s well-known film version of this historical event with Kirk Douglas and Peter Ustinov), but more on the brutal revolt of a power-mad man who ultimately turns out to be the biggest tyrant of them all.

Concert performance in Italian with German surtitles

Introduction to the work 30 minutes before curtain-up

Cast:

Conductor: Martin Wåhlberg

Spartaco: Luigi Morassi

Vetturia: Sophie Junker

Licinio: Vojtěch Pelka

Gianisbe: Josè Maria Lo Monaco

Popilio: Anthea Pichanick

Rodope: Natalie Pérez

Trasone: Håvard Stensvold

Orkester Nord

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Place

Theater an der Wien – Vienna’s Stage for Outstanding Opera and Music Theater

The Theater an der Wien is one of Vienna’s most prestigious opera houses, renowned for its exceptional productions of operas, oratorios, and musical theater. Located in the 6th district, near the famous Naschmarkt, this historic venue impresses with its magnificent architecture and long-standing tradition.

Since its opening in 1801, the Theater an der Wien has witnessed numerous milestones in music history. It was here that Beethoven’s “Fidelio” premiered, and works by Mozart, Strauss, and other great composers have shaped its stage. Today, the theater is particularly known for high-quality opera productions in their original language, featuring both historical and modern interpretations.

With a strong focus on rarely performed operas, Baroque masterpieces, and innovative productions, the Theater an der Wien sets itself apart from the major state operas, offering opera enthusiasts a diverse and groundbreaking repertoire.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U4 – Kettenbrückengasse station (approx. 5-minute walk)
• U1, U2, U4 – Karlsplatz station (approx. 7-minute walk)

Tram:

• Lines 1, 62, D – Paulanergasse stop

Bus:

• Line 59A – Bärenmühldurchgang stop

Thanks to its central location, the Theater an der Wien is easily accessible by public transport.

Theater an der Wien – The Opera Stage for Musical Discoveries

Blending musical tradition with bold new productions and world-class performers, the Theater an der Wien is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience opera at the highest level.