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Ennio Morricone: The Operatic Debut

Apr. 23, 2025

We are delighted to announce that on December 12, 2025, the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples will present the world premiere of Ennio Morricone's only opera, Partenope (Music for the Siren of Naples). A second performance will follow on December 14.

Described as a “chamber opera” due to its modest vocal cast, the work was composed in 1995 with a libretto by Sandro Cappelletto and Guido Barbieri and published by SZ Sugar. However, for various reasons, it was never performed – until now.

This long-awaited event – thirty years in the making – will conclude the celebrations for the 2500th anniversary of the founding of Naples. It also offers audiences a rare glimpse into a lesser-known side of Morricone’s artistry: a transitional compositional style that moves away from both the strict avant-garde language of his Nuova Consonanza period and the more popular style of his iconic film scores.

The debut production of Partenope will be directed by Vanessa Beecroft and conducted by Riccardo Frizza. Further details regarding the cast will be announced shortly.


Manuscript title page of Ennio Morricone's opera, Partenope

To learn more about Ennio Morricone, visit szsugar.it.

Ennio Morricone
Partenope (Music for the Siren of Naples) (1995)
chamber opera
libretto by Sandro Cappelletto & Guido Barbieri
6.0.2.0-4.2.2.20-4 perc-2hp-str
2Sopranos.Mezzo-soprano.Tenor.Narrator
Women's Chorus (Soprano/Mezzo-soprano/Contralto)
50'

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