Clitennestra


Clitennestra, an opera in a prelude and two acts, was the last work by Ildebrando Pizzetti. The libretto is in Italian. The opera play is based on ancient Greek mythology written by Aeschylus and Sophocles. It was premiered at La Scala in Milan on 1 March 1965, conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni.

Synopsis

On his return from the Trojan war, Agamennone was murdered by his wife Clitennestra, she claims, to punish him for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia, but in reality to be with her lover, Egisto.
Seven years later, Clitennestra was killed by her son Oreste, who had been turned away as a child and returned incognito to avenge his father. Oreste, with the help of his sister Elettra, kills Clitennestra and Egisto, then goes into exile to punish himself for the crime committed, abandoning Elettra in despair.