• Year of composition: 1758 in Saint Petersburg
• Work category: Opera
• Text author: Lodovico Lazaroni (Dottor Lodovico Lazaroni Veneziano / Lodovico Lazzaroni)
• Dedication: [Elizabeth, Empress of Russia (1709-1762)]
• First performed: This opera premiered on 22nd December, 1758 in the 'Teatro Imperiale del Giardino di Corte', Saint Petersburg. It was performed by members of Giovanni Battista Locatelli’s internationally renowned opera troupe, who, in 1758, founded Russia’s first permanent opera ensemble, performing 3 times a week:
  Signor Massi, castrato (Aminta), Signora Buina (Diana). Maria Camati, "La Farinella" (Guinone), Signor Buini (Il Tempo), Ignaz(io) Doll (Mercurio) [according to the Edition Gran Tonante]
• Duration: Approx. 60-90 min
• Detailed duration: Duration uncertain

Instrumentation

2*.2.0.2 / 2.3.0.0 / timp, cont / str
(picc)

Solo voices/choir

Aminta (soprano [castrato])
Diana (soprano)
Guinone (soprano)
Il Tempo (tenor)
Mercurio (bass)

3 sopranos [including 1 castrato] (Aminta, Diana, Guinone), 1 tenor (Il Tempo), 1 bass (Mercurio)

Examples of printed editions

Archive of Swedish Vocal Music, Vol. II, 2nd completely revised and improved edition, Edition Gran Tonante HB, (2009) 2014

• Location autograph: Kungliga Biblioteket
• Possible call no. and autograph comment: Libretto can be found at the Göttingen State and University Library
  

Description of work

In a forest near Saint Petersburg Aminta, a shepherd, falls asleep, exhausted after having wandered for some time. Diana appears, praising the beauty demonstrated by the forest on Empress Elizabeth’s birthday. The goddess notices Aminta awakening. He willingly relates his sad fate, how he was expelled from his birth place by the Adriatic Sea and is now roaming about, unhappy. Diana lets him know that the autocrat is near and that he should seek his happiness with her. Giunone (Juno) appears, and speaks with Diana. They are surprised by the allegorical character Il Tempio (Time), who, after having reminded them of the fact that time flies, relentlessly, disappears from the stage. The two goddesses conclude that although time flies, the remembrance of Empress Elizabeth will remain forever. A dove descends over the stage with a wreath of flowers. Amazed, the goddesses read the wreath’s inscription: Questa di fior contesta preziosa corona, a colei, ch’è piu degna il ciel la dona. Diana, speculating as to who will be the happy owner and who will be crowned the new Paris, she implores Giove (Jupither), not to revive the combat over the golden apple. Mercury enters on the stage, informing her of the fact that Aminta will be the combat’s arbitrator. Giunone believes he will be able to predict who will win the wreath and Act I ends with a majestic chorus.

Act II includes meetings and conversations between the parties involved and culminates in the stage transforming into a Temple of Glory where Aminta bestowes upon Empress Elizabeth the coveted wreath of flowers. It all concludes with a jubilant chorus.
[According to the printed music]


Ouvertura: Allegro D major 2/4 - 4/4 (C) - 3/4

Parte prima
Scena I: Bosco nelle vicinanze di St. Petroburgo [San Pietroburgo]. Aminta
Scena II: Diana ed Aminta, che dorme. Diana, Aminta
Scena III: Diana, Giunone
Scena IV: Il Tempo e dette. Diana, Il Tempo
Scena V: Si vede bianca Colomba, la quale in passando lascia cadere tra Giunone e Diana un Serto di fiori. Giunone, Diana
Scena VI: Mercurio che discende dal Cielo, e dette. Diana, Mercurio, Giunone


Parte seconda
Sinfonia:
Allegro G major 4/4 (C)
Andante D major 2/4
Allegro G major 3/8

Scena I: Bosco. Diana, Aminta, Giunone, Mercurio
Scena II: Aminta, Giunone
Scena III: Diana
Scena IV: Giunone
Scena V: Aminta, poi Mercurio, ed il Tempo in disparte. Aminta, Mercurio, Il Tempo
Scena VI: Al percuotter del Caduceo, comparisce il Tempio della Gloria. Il Tempo, Mercurio, Diana, Giunone

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Work comment

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Libretto/text