Category:Titus--music (subject)

Music (Home Page)

Works of music related to Titus

Overview

The Emperor Titus first appeared on the musical stage in 1666 as protagonist of the love story with Berenice, and in 1678 in a supporting role in the conflict between Vespasian and Domitian.

Titus's association with the Jewish princess would continue to inspire librettists and composers for centuries, until Magnard's opera in 1909.

It was however a sequel of the story, La clemenza di Tito (1734) by Pietro Metastasio, which gave great popularity to the character of Titus. The libretto was set to music by more than 40 composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Today, the numerous performances and recordings of Mozart's opera, in addition to some occasional revivals of Magnard's opera, still offer to opera singers the opportunity to play the role of Titus.

Performing Titus (singers)

Since the end of the 17th century, Titus has offered a protagonist role to major opera singers. Among the early interpreters the most renowned is Francesco Tolve, who was also the first to "specialize" in the role. In 1737-38 we find him as protagonist in three major productions of La clemenza di Tito, in London, Verona and Venice.