Demetrio e Polibio

Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) was the most celebrated Italian composer of his age, a master of both opera buffa and opera seria. Born in Pesaro, he penned nearly forty operas before the age of thirty-seven, including immortal works such as “Il barbiere di Siviglia,” “La Cenerentola,” and “Guillaume Tell.” “Adina, ovvero Il Califfo di Bagdad” (1818), though lesser-known, showcases all the melodic wit, rhythmic verve, and vocal brilliance that made Rossini the darling of Europe.

Rossini’s distinctive style, characterized by elegant melodies, rapid vocal passages, lively rhythms, and inventive orchestration, had a profound influence on nineteenth-century opera. His music combines theatrical energy with remarkable technical precision, allowing singers to display both virtuosity and expressive range. Even today, his operas remain staples of the international repertoire, admired for their wit, brilliance, and enduring freshness.

After retiring from the operatic stage at the height of his fame, he spent his later years in Paris as a revered cultural figure and gourmet.

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Demetrio e Polibio is Gioachino Rossini’s first serious two-act opera, composed between 1806 and 1809 to a libretto by Vincenzina Viganò Mombelli and first performed in Rome in 1812. The story is set at the court of Polibio, King of the Parthians, who has taken in and raised Siveno, believed to be the son of the late Syrian minister Minteo. In reality, Siveno is the long-lost son of Demetrio, King of Syria, who arrives disguised as an ambassador under the name of Eumene to reclaim the young man. Polibio refuses and arranges the marriage between Siveno and his own daughter, Lisinga; during the night, Demetrio, having bribed the guards, breaks into the palace and abducts Lisinga, mistaking her for Siveno.

In the second act, Polibio and Siveno demand the princess’s release; Demetrius threatens to kill her unless Siveno is handed over to him, whilst Polibio in turn threatens the young man. The tension is resolved when Demetrius recognises Siveno as his long-lost son thanks to a medallion. Lisinga, distraught at the separation, attempts to kill Eumenes, but he reveals his royal identity and the truth about his son. Peace is restored: Demetrius and Polybus form an alliance, and the two young spouses can finally live happily together.

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