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The opera of G.F. Handel Alessandro Severo belongs to the so-called “pasticcio” type. No, it has nothing to do with the famous Greek food... but with a composition whose components are musical parts of previously written works. Most precisely Alessandro Severo is Handel’s second (the first one is the opera Orestis) “pasticcio work” composed exclusively from the composer’s previous works. Thus it is a new opera, in which, apart from the arias and orchestral parts that derive from Handel’s previous operas, the beautiful introduction (overture), the dramatic recitative with strings (recitativo accompagnato), and the dialogue parts that help the story to unravel (recitativi secchi),accompanied by the basso continuo, are all new music.

The story of the opera takes place in Rome, in 225 B.C., when the 16 year old new emperor Alessandro Severo, marries the young Salustia, daughter of a patrician. Giulia, Alessandro’s mother, fearing that she will lose her authority, leads Salustia with deceit in exile, opposing her son’s will. It is a story full of Roman political and emotional intrigues, dressed with the most beautiful music of Handel that he himself chose from his large musical oeuvre.