Opera in the Warden's Garden

The 2012 Opera in the Warden's Garden is il re pastore (The Shepherd King) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

• Friday, 13 July 2012 - sold out

Please send any enquiries to Jonathan Rubery in the Development Office.

The interval is 75 mins long. The opera will end at approximately 10.30 pm.

Plot
Act I
Alessandro, King of Macedonia, has freed the kingdom of Sidon from the grasps of the tyrant Straton. He does not assume the throne himself, but intends to restore the legitimate heir to the kingdom. Thus, together with Sidonian nobleman Agenore, they approach the shepherd Aminta who, unbeknownst to himself, is Abdalonimo, rightful heir to the throne. Aminta declines their offers nobly, being contented with his plans to tend to his flock and marry the nymph Elisa. The daughter of the overthrown Straton, Tamiri, is in love with Agenore but has too much pride to ask Alessandro for forgiveness. Before Aminta can ask Elisa’s father for a marriage blessing, he is informed by Agenore of his true royal identity, and is commanded to appear before Alessandro.

Act II
In a bid to secure peace within Sidon, Alessandro decides that Aminta should marry Tamiri, and this results in series of emotional conflict when Agenore carries out Alessandro’s orders obediently and secretly. Elisa is enraged by Alessandro’s decision, and calls for a public confession on Aminta’s part for betraying his love and commitment to her. Tamiri is displeased with Agenore, who has been torn between his love for Tamiri and his patriotism for Sidon. Aminta resolves to abdicate the throne to be with Elisa, but Alexander, moved by the sincerity of the lovers’ pleas, allows the lovers to be reunited. In a final grand gesture of magnanimity, Alessandro declares Aminta and Elisa as the rulers of Sidon, while Agenore and Tamiri are granted another kingdom to rule.

Credits
Conductor – Steven Devine
Director – Michael Burden

Aminta: Kate Semmens
Elisa: Rachel Shannon
Tamiri: Merryn Gamba
Alessandro: Adam Tunnicliffe
Agenore: Tom Raskin