Zaira (opera)
- Zaira (soprano )
- Orosmane ( bass), Sultan of Jerusalem
- Nerestano (mezzo- soprano), brother of Zaira
- Corasmino (tenor ), vizier
- Lusignano ( bass), Prince
- Fatima (mezzo- soprano), companion Zairas
- Meledor ( bass), servant of the Sultan
- Castiglione (tenor ), companion Nerestanos
- Courtiers, guards, slaves, Knight (chorus )
Zaira is a tragic opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini. The libretto was written by Felice Romani, based on the 1732 drama created Zaïre by Voltaire. The premiere took place on May 16, 1829 at the Teatro Nuovo Ducale in Parma instead. The game lasts about three hours.
The premiere of the work was a failure. Therefore Bellini related major parts of Zaira in other works, notably in the 1830 opera I Capuleti ei Montecchi incurred. During his lifetime, Bellini's, there were no further performances. 1836 a posthumous performance took place in Florence; recently Zaira was not performed until 1976 in Catania with Renata Scotto in the title role again.