Poliuto

Opera by Gaetano Donizetti (libretto devised by A Nourrit and written by Salvatore Cammarano, based on Corneille's tragedy Polyeucte). Though finished in 1838 for production at Naples, the opera was forbidden by censor; it was later produced in French as Les Martyrs (translation by Scribe) at the Opéra, Paris, on 1 April 1840. The story is set in 3rd-century Armenia. Poliuto is converted to Christianity, but is captured by Callistene, the high priest of Jupiter. His wife Paolina cannot convince him to renounce his faith, and joins him in death.