October 2003: Area Premiere

The Apothecary (Lo speziale)

Franz Josef Haydn

    

The story of Mengone, who has entered the service of the apothecary Sempronio in order to be near the old man's ward, Grilletta. He faces competition from the rich young Volpino, who tries to bribe Sempronio by promising him a post as the Turkish Sultan's apothecary. Haydn's second opera, written for the opening of the opera house at Eszterhàza in 1768. The story is simple, with farce, disguises, plots and exotic Turks! The music is lively and witty to match and the arias more developed than in Italian operas of the period.



The Cast:
Douglas Bowles
Keith Hudspeth
Katherine Osborne
Beatrice Alexander