Libretto
Vivaldi wrote L'Incoronazione di Dario in 1717, and dedicated it to the Duke Antonio Ferdinando Gonzaga. The opera premiered on January 23rd at the Teatro Sant'Angelo in Venice during the carnival season. The libretto itself was written in 1684, and has been set to music once before (Domenico Freschi).
Dario future King of Persia...........................................................John Elwes (tenor)
Statira naive princess, eldest daughter of Ciro................................Gerard Lesne (contralto)
Argene Satira's little sister............................................................Henri Ledroit (contralto)
Niceno philosopher, teacher of the sisters......................................Michel Verschaeve (baritone)
Alinda Princess of Media, love interest of Oronte............................Isabelle Poulenard (soprano)
Oronte Persian nobleman, desires to marry Statira, Dario's rival.......Agnиs Mellon (soprano)
Arpago Rival of Dario, desires to marry Statira................................Isabelle Poulenard (soprano)
Flora Lady in waiting and confidante of both princesses...................Dominique Visse (contralto)
Oracolo di Apollo Oracle of Apollo..................................................Michel Verschaeve (baritone)
Ombra di Ciro Shadow of Ciro, the dead King of Persia....................John Elwes (tenor)




