Orontea

Opera by Antonio Cesti (libretto by G A Ciognini), Cesti's first opera, which has been successfully revived in modern editions. The story concerns Orontea, Queen of Egypt, who falls in love with a lowly painter, Alidoro. There is stiff opposition to her wedding plans, but all is resolved when it turns out that Alidoro is of noble birth. The opera was first produced in 1649 at the Teatro dei Apostoli, Venice.

It was later revised (libretto by G F Apolloni) and produced at the Teatro di Sala at Innsbruck, on 19 February 1656.