Andromeda with Ars Minerva | Travel & Day Trips
Andromeda - opera composed by Marc’Antonio Ziani in 1714 on a libretto by Pietro Pariati
Ars Minerva is staging the world premiere of Andromeda — a Baroque opera composed in Vienna in 1714 and never performed since its creation, 312 years ago. Fifteen Bay Area singers and musicians will be performing based on the new edition transcribed from the original manuscript.
Andromeda is a one-act chamber opera set in ancient Egypt, dramatizing the myth of Perseus and Andromeda. It is structured as a single continuous act in the tradition of the Viennese court componimento da camera. Princess Andromeda, despite her love for Perseus, has been promised by her father King Cefeo, to Agenore. But when Poseidon sends a terrible sea monster to devastate the kingdom, she is offered as a sacrifice to save the people from the monster. Perseus vows to slay the monster and win Andromeda’s hand. Facing the creature on the shore, he raises the shield given to him by Minerva, whose divine image turns the monster to stone. Andromeda is saved, Perseus wins her love, and the opera closes with a panegyric to Emperor Charles VI, the “hero greater than Perseus” in whose honor the work was composed.
Marc’Antonio Ziani (1653-1715) was one of the foremost composers of the Habsburg court. Born in Venice in 1653, he rose to become Kapellmeister to Emperor Charles VI in Vienna, one of the most prestigious musical posts in Europe. Though largely forgotten today, Ziani was considered by his contemporaries one of the great masters of late Baroque opera.
Pietro Pariati (1665-1733) established himself as one of the most sought-after librettists of his era. After working in Venice, where he collaborated with composers including Antonio Vivaldi and Apostolo Zeno, he was appointed Imperial Court Poet in Vienna in 1714. He served in this role until 1729, crafting texts for the greatest composers at the Habsburg court, among them Antonio Caldara and Johann Joseph Fux.
Ars Minerva is a San Francisco-based, 501(c)(3) performing arts organization founded in 2013 by Céline Ricci, also the Executive Artistic Director. Its mission is bringing forgotten Baroque operas back to life, one world premiere at a time. "We believe that the past holds a treasure trove of untold stories and music that deserve to be heard. By staging these rare operas, we not only honor their creators but also bring an extraordinary experience to today's audiences. Our shows embody a revival of forgotten operatic treasures, bringing historical richness and cultural resonance to modern audiences through vibrant performances".
For more information on Andromeda and to learn more about Ars Minerva, go to Ars Minerva - Bringing music back to life
Check-in time is 12 PM in the lower lobby of the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall. Please be punctual and allow sufficient time for parking; the bus leaves soon after check-in. Return to the OFJCC is 6:30 PM.
Price is $140 - Includes an orchestra seat at the Creativity Theater in San Francisco and round-trip transportation from the OFJCC by private coach. Children 12+ may attend accompanying seniors.
All ticket sales are final; there are no refunds for cancellations. If you need personal assistance of any kind, you must bring an escort.
Note: If you need clarification regarding your registration, before you buy your ticket, please contact Michelle Rosengaus at mrosengaus@paloaltojcc.org.
Senior Programs are made possible in part by generous contributions from the Jewish Federation Bay Area, the John R. Schwabacher Family, as well as many other individual donors. We are grateful for their generous support.