About the Anniversary: The Baroque Opera par excellence

For their 50th anniversary: Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik bring Pietro Antonio Cesti's 'Il pomo d'oro' back to life after more than 350 years

To mark their 50th anniversary, the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik are celebrating with a spectacular operatic rediscovery: Pietro Antonio Cesti's monumental Baroque opera 'Il pomo d'oro' will be performed in its complete form for the first time since its world premiere in 1668. This complete performance has been made possible by a reconstruction of the lost music from two acts, created especially for the festival by their Musical Director, Ottavio Dantone.

Originally lasting more than eight hours and featuring 47 roles, the work is regarded as the very embodiment of Baroque court opera. As at its premiere, it will be presented over two consecutive evenings. Together with 20 soloists, a choir, two dance companies and Accademia Bizantina, Ottavio Dantone will bring this masterpiece – long considered impossible to stage – back to the theatre. The production is directed by the Italian stage director Fabio Ceresa. The three performances will take place on 7 and 8, 11 and 12, and 15 and 16 August at the Tiroler Landestheater.