Mitridate, re di Ponto
- Mithridates ( Mitridate ), King of Pontus, and other realms, lovers of Aspasia (Tenor)
- Aspasia, fiancé of Mithridates and already proclaimed as Queen (soprano )
- Xiphares ( Sifare ), son of Mithridates and Stratonica, lovers of Aspasia (soprano )
- Pharnaces ( Farnace ), Mithridates ' first son, also lovers of Aspasia (Alt )
- Ismene, daughter of the king of Parthia, lovers of Farnace (soprano )
- Marcius ( Marzio ), Roman tribune, friend of the Farnace (Tenor)
- Arbates ( Arbate ), governor of Ninfea (soprano )
Mitridate, re di Ponto by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is an opera seria in three acts (KV 87 [ 74a ] ), which was premiered in 1770 at the Teatro Regio Ducale in Milan. The text is by Vittorio Amadeo Cigna - Santi after the drama Mithridate by Jean Racine in the Italian translation by Giuseppe Parini.
Action
Based on the eponymous play by Jean Racine is in the title character of King Mitridates VI. Eupator ( 132-63 BC. ), King of Pontus, whose empire included many coastal areas on the southern Black Sea coast. Mitridate has during a campaign against the in Asia Minor propagating Romans his young fiancée, the Greek princess Aspasia, in the city Ninfea in the Crimea in the care of his two sons, Sifare and Farnace left behind. He can spread the news of his death to make his two sons to the test. This - political opponents in their sympathy for the Greeks and the Romans - vying for the fiancé of her father.
Act I
Aspasia asks Sifare, to protect them from the advances of Farnaces. Sifare uses this request, not only to offer his protection, but also to confess his love to her. Farnace, the cool ignored his intended bride Ismene, daughter of the king of Parthia, Aspasia makes the offer, to make her his queen. Aspasia has Farnace back, and when he threatened, below a Sifare. Arbate, the governor of Nymfea, reports that Mitridate lives and just reached the city. Aspasia is torn between their obligations to Mitridate and their sincere love for Sifare. The foray Farnaces to thwart the return of the father, his father refused to Sifare opposite of loyalty. Then Farnace incites the Roman tribune Marzio to rebel against Mitridate. After a lost battle Mitridate lands in the port of Ninfea and familiar to Arbate that he himself has brought rumors of his death circulated to ask his sons to the test. When he hears of Farnaces advances on Aspasia, he decides to punish them.
Second Act
As Farnace Ismene tells that he did not love, this threatens to call Mitridates. Despite the warning of the possible consequences Farnaces to Ismene Mitridate confides. This assures you that Farnace had to pay for this insult, and praises the second-born son Sifare as much worthier husband. To want to get married to his announcement, Aspasia is now fast, it reacts cautiously so Mitridate suspected that she had cheated on him with Farnace. Mitridate summons Sifare and praises him for his loyalty. After Aspasia and Sifare are alone, they assure each other of their love, but decide from a sense of duty to suppress them and to separate. Mitridate Farnace suspected of collaborating with the Romans. He sees confirmed when Farnace his plan to attack the Romans, contradicts and advises him to accept the offer of peace Romans. As Mitridate wants to disarm and take him away then, Farnace confesses his guilt, but also reveals that Sifare and Aspasia love each other. Mitridate then sets Aspasia to the test by inviting them to opt not for him but for one of his sons. Aspasia reveals her love for Sifare, whereupon they Mitridate and his two sons sentenced to death. Sifare urges Aspasia, to reconcile with Mitridate and to marry him. But she refuses, and so decide the lovers, to die together.
Act Three
Ismene tries to help him, and asks Mitridate to spare Aspasia. On Aspasia wondering what had happened to Sifare, one says to her that she could save his life still if they marry Mitridate, but she refuses. Arbate proclaimed the Roman troops had landed and had beaten the troops Mitridates to flight. Mitridate rushes to his troops. When they Aspasia is a chalice of poison, she wants to finally find him in the hope of peace, empty. However rushes Sifare. He now considers it his duty to assist his father in battle. Farnace has been freed from a Roman mercenaries. As Marzio but offers him the throne Farnace plagues the conscience, and he announces to waive Aspasia and his political ambitions and instead follow the path of duty, glory and honor to want. Mitridate has thrown himself into his own sword, not to fall into the hands of the Romans. He praises Sifare for its loyalty, forgive Aspasia and gives the couple his blessing. Ismene tells that Farnace the Romans repulsed and their ships had set on fire. Then the dying Mitridate even forgives him. Aspasia, Sifare, Ismene, Farnace and Arbate join in the chorus of opposition to the Roman tyranny.