Francesco Cavalli (1602 – 1676): Calisto

The first opera performance in 1651 at San Apollinare Theatre in Venice was accompanied by a grandiose stage setting with marvelous machinery and scenic effects. The story tells of a nymph Calisto and Jupiter, who falls in love with her, but only when he is disguised as Diana, his love is being returned. The story was adopted  from Ovididius’s Metamorphoses by librettist Faustini and extended with new plots and comic scenes in the manner of commedia dell’arte. Collegium Marianum plays an ancient story together with puppets using a period setting.