Le nozze di Teti e di Peleo

For other uses, see Le nozze di Teti e di Peleo (disambiguation).

Le nozze di Teti e di Peleo is an opera by Francesco Cavalli - specifically, an opera scenica or festa teatrale. The work, set to a libretto by Orazio Persiani, was Cavalli's first opera, and was first performed at the Venetian opera house Teatro San Cassiano on 24 January 1639. It is also the first Venetian opera for which a score survives to this day.

Title page of the libretto, 1639

The plot is based upon the mythological tale of the wedding of Thetis and Peleus. Cavalli's scenes of divine activity require elaborate theatrical staging, and his score calls for plentiful activity of both chorus (who portray such different characters as gods, Tritons, Bacchantes, and demons) and dancers.

Roles

Role	Voice type	Premiere Cast, 24 January 1639 (Conductor: - )
Thetis	soprano
Jupiter	bass
Aeolus	tenor
Peleus	tenor
Pluto	bass
Discordia	contralto
Hymen	soprano
Momus	tenor
Mercury	tenor

References

• Rosand, Ellen (1992). "Nozze di Teti e di Peleo, Le", vol. 3, pp. 634–635, in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0333485521.