Details

Artaxerxes was premiered on 2 February 1762 at Covent Garden with Charlotte Brent (mistress to Thomas Arne at the time) in the role of Mandane and the Italian castrato Ferdinando Tenducci as Arbaces. The work received over 111 performances in England before 1790. Artaxerxes was last heard in repertory at Covent Garden during the 1842/43 Season. Thomas Arne wrote Artaxerxes in 1762 adapting the libretto from Metastasio's Artaserse. The opera is set in Ancient Asia, with its theme of love, loyalty and friendship. Arne successfully merged the florid Italian style of writing with an English libretto, with one particular aria 'The Soldier, tir'd of Wars Alarms' sung by Mandane (Xerxes daughter) becoming a popular soprano showpiece.

Cast/Performers

Christopher Ainslie (Artaxerxes), Elizabeth Watts (Mandane), Andrew Staples (Artabanes), Caitlin Hulcup (Arbaces), Rebecca Bottone (Semira), Steven Ebeel (Rimenes)

Creatives/Company

Music: Thomas Arne
Producer: Royal Opera
Conductor: Ian Page
Director: Martin Duncan
Design: Johan Engels
Company: Orchestra of the Classical Opera Company