Calto (opera)


Calto is an opera seria in three acts by Francesco Bianchi. The libretto was by Giuseppe Maria Foppa, after the 'Celtic' poetry of Ossian. The opera was first performed at the Teatro San Benedetto in Venice on 23 January 1788.
Calto was an innovative work with some special instrumentation. As Marita P. McClymonds explains "Bianchi uses flat keys, fluctuating modes, chromatic dissonances and an unusually wide range of wind timbres for maximum dramatic effect."

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 23 January 1788
Duntalmo, usurper kingtenorGiuseppe Bertelli
Corimba, Duntalmo's daughter, secretly married to CaltosopranoMaria Giacinta Galli
Sinvenosoprano castratoTommaso Catena
Calto, son of the rightful king killed by Duntalmo, adopted by Sinvenosoprano castratoGiovanni Rubinelli
AsteriasopranoMaria Bellavigna
ConalbotenorAntonio Mora

Synopsis

Calto claims his rightful throne from the usurper Duntalmo, but the latter is saved by Corimba, who turns out to be both Duntalmo's daughter and the mother of Calto's two children.