Ennio Morricone’s only opera, “Partenope,” received its world premiere this evening at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples – 30 years after the work’s completion.

The opera relates the plight of the titular siren, who drowns herself after failing to enchant Ulysses. Her body washes ashore and becomes the settlement that grows into Naples. The port city celebrates its 2,500th anniversary this year.

The work was commissioned in 1995 by a festival in the Campania region (of which Naples is the capital), but the event went bust before the opera could be performed.

Morricone, the composer of over 500 film and television scores, left roughly 100 concert works. He died in 2020 at the age of 91.

Yes, I subscribe to the New York Times, but I probably wouldn’t have seen this today if not for Mather Pfeiffenberger. Thanks, Mather! Enjoy this “gift article” on Classic Ross Amico.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/arts/music/ennio-morricone-opera-partenope.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8E8.uJFH.4_sS3215pW7K&smid=url-share

Please leave this field empty

DON’T MISS A BEAT

Every Sunday, you’ll receive just one email digest of the past week’s posts! Thanks for reading and listening.

Next, please check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.