Silla

Conductor
Fabio Biondi

Stage Director
Alessandra Premoli

Set Designer
Manuel Zuriaga

Costume Designer
José María Adame

Lighting Designer
Antonio Castro

Production
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

Ballet de la Generalitat

Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana

Silla
Benedetta Mazzucato

Claudio
Adriana Di Paola

Metella
Karen Gardeazabal *

Lepido
Elisa Barbero *

Flavia
Federica Di Trapani *

Celia
Nozomi Kato *

God Mars/ Scabro
Michael Borth *

* Centre Plácido Domingo

ACT I
Rome, around 82-79 B.C. Silla, a Roman politician and military leader, wants Rome to submit to his absolute power. His wife Metella and the tribune Lepido are appalled when they realise the freedom of the empire is threatened. Furthermore, Lepido’s wife Flavia has had a dream in which Rome was burnt to the ground. Meanwhile, the senator Claudio (Silla’s enemy) is caught by his lover Celia admiring a portrait of the deceased Mario, who was overthrown by Silla. She gets angry as she is the daughter of one of Silla’s officers, but she is aware that her feelings must be kept a secret. When Silla arrives, Claudio reproaches him for his dictatorial attitude and announces that he is willing to confront him.

ACT II
Loyal to her husband, Flavia has resisted the amorous advances of Silla. Most frustrated, Silla orders Lepido to divorce Flavia so that he can marry her. Lepido tells Flavia that he will take revenge on Silla. Celia, who has also been the object of Silla’s amorous advances, is dazed and speechless in the presence of Claudio. After consoling her and walking off, Silla bursts in to take her away, but Metella stops him from doing so. At Flavia’s home, Silla tries to convince her yet again to marry him, but she remains unyielding. So Silla, who is furious by now, orders his soldiers to arrest Flavia and take Celia to his rooms. Scabro, Metella’s servant, receives the order to kill Lepido and Claudio. But Metella, who has learned of his plans, tries to prevent this from happening. A short time later, Scabro shows Silla a garment stained with blood and tells him it is Lepido’s, making him believe that he has been killed. Satisfied with how things are turning out, Silla asks to see how Claudio is devoured by beasts, but he has to quell a rebellion that has been started by supporters of Mario and he rushes off. Metella takes advantage of his absence to release Lepido and Claudio from prison.

ACT III
Alone, Silla reflects on the burden of governing an empire. Just when he hoped to enjoy the favours of Flavia and Celia, he has to leave for Sicily. He decides to try again, first with Celia and then with Flavia, after making them believe their respective lovers are dead. But he is again rejected by both women and he departs. Metella finally manages to reunite the two couples: Flavia with Lepido and Celia with Claudio. As he is about to set sail, Silla apologises to his wife for his behaviour. Meanwhile, Lepido and Claudio head a revolt in the capital against Silla’s tyranny. The god Mars appears on a cloud as Metella arrives with a repentant Silla. Silla apologises for his crimes, resigns from his post, and declares he will now live a quiet and peaceful life with Metella. As a final act of good will, he gives Claudio permission to marry Celia.