
La clemenza di Tito 2002
A king’s wisdom and mercy…
…are put to the supreme test with an attempted assassination.
Synopsis
Act I
Vitellia, angered by Tito’s decision to marry Berenice, her rival, has launched a conspiracy to have him murdered. Sesto, torn between love for Vitellia and duty towards his friend Tito, is convinced to kill the Emperor. Annio announces that Tito has changed his mind, sending Berenice away. Vitellia postpones the murder but urges Sesto to be resolute.
Assembled in the Forum, the Roman senators and citizens praise Tito’s wisdom and justice. Tito orders that the golden tributes offered to him be used instead to aid the victims suffering from a recent eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Tito decides to marry Servilia, but she refuses, citing her love for Annius. Tito praises her honesty.
Vitellia, believing that Servilia will accept Tito’s offer, orders Sesto to burn the Capitol and murder the Emperor. Sesto agrees. Annio and Publio inform Vitellia that Tito has decided to marry her. Horrified, Vitellia realizes that she cannot stop the murder; Annio and Publio interpret her confusion as a sign of her love for Tito.
As the Capitol burns, Sesto returns to confess Tito’s murder, but Vitellia orders him to be silent; they join in the chorus of lament.
Artists

Richard Croft
Tenor
Tito

Alex Penda
Soprano
Vitellia

Kristine Jepson
Mezzo-soprano
Sesto

Joyce DiDonato
Mezzo-soprano
Annio

Stephen Morscheck
Bass
Publio

Isabel Bayrakdarian
Soprano
Servilia

Kenneth Montgomery
Conductor

Chas Rader-Shieber
Director

David Zinn
Scenic & Costume Designer

Rick Fisher
Lighting Designer

Robert Wood
Chorus Master