Mithridates, King of Pontus, an Italian Opera Seria (Drama) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: plot summary, character list, and other information.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Italian opera seria (drama) in three acts Mitridate, rè di Ponto (Mithridates, King of Pontus), K87/74a. Mitridate was commissioned for Carnival 1771. Mozart wrote the recitatives and overture while touring in Italy, 1770, aged 14.

Reaching Milan on October 18, he was forced to amend the arias. Those who pre-judged harshly the work because of Mozart's youth, were silenced by the first performance.

• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
• Composed: 1770.
• First Performance: Milan, Teatro Regio Ducal, December 26, 1770.
• Libretto: Vittorio Amadeo Cigna-Santi. Based on the tragedy by Jean Baptiste Racine's Mithridate.
• Setting: Ninfea in the 63 BC.

The main Characters in Mitridate, rè di Ponto:

• Sifare (Xiphares), Mitridate's younger son (soprano castrato)
• Aspasia, Mitidate's fiancee (soprano)
• Farnace (Pharnaces), Mitridate's older son (alto castrato)
• King Mitridate (Mithridates), King of Pontus (tenor)
• Arbate, the Nimfea Governor (soprano castrato)
• Marzio (Marcius), a Roman tribune (tenor)
• Ismene, daughter of the King of Parthia, Farnace's fiancee (soprano)

Mitridate, who long defended his empire against the Romans, and his son Pharnaces are historical persons, but the plot is fiction.

Basic Plot Summary of Mozart's operaMitridate, rè di Ponto:

Act I

Mitridate, twice married with two sons, is engaged to Aspasia. He is reported dead and intentionally told Arbate, the governor, to spread word of his death to test his sons. Both his sons, Sifare and Farnace are in love with Aspasia, who is in love with Sifare. Sifare promises to defend Aspasia from Farnace's advances. Arbate announces Mitridate's return. Misguided ambition leads Farnace to conspire against his father's return with the Roman tribune Marzio. Defeated in battle by Pompey, Mitridate unexpectedly returns, bringing Princess Ismene, daughter of the Parthian king, and engaged to Farnace. Mitridate urges Farnace to marry Ismene to strengthen their kingdom.

Act II

Ismene is ignored by Farnace. She complains to Mitridate. Farnace remains indifferent. Mitridate promises to help Ismene. He proposes marriage to Aspasia but her reluctance to marry him was interpreted by Mitridate that she's in love with Farnace. Mitridate confides in Ismene that he fears Farnace might betray him to the Romans. Mitridate tells his sons that he plans to attack the Romans. Farnace discourages him, while Sifare offers to lead the army. Marzio, the Roman tribune's appearance strengthens Mitridate's thoughts about his older son's betrayal. Mitridate had him arrested, however, he incriminates Sifare. Aspacia was forced to admit her love for Sifare, infuriating Mitridate.

Act III

Mitridate prepares for his final battle. Ismene talks to Mitridate and intervenes on Aspasia's behalf. He will only forgive Aspasia if she agrees to marry him but Aspasia refuses. Rejected by Aspasia, Mitridate sends her poison which she accepts to drink but Sifare prevents her from drinking, and helps his father in the battle. As the Romans attack, Marzio releases Farnace from prison offering to make him king. Farnace, overcome with guilt, decides to help his father and goes to burn the Roman fleet. Mitridate is victorious but mortally wounds himself. He unites Sifare with Aspasia, and forgives Farnace who marries Ismene. Mitridate dies happy.

Other operas written by Mozart

• Die Zauberflöte
• Così fan tutte
• Don Giovanni
• Le nozze di Figaro
• Der Schauspieldirektor
• Die Entführung aus dem Serail
• Idomeneo
• Il rè pastore
• La finta Giardiniera
• Lucio Silla
• Il sogno di Scipione
• La clemenza di Tito
• Ascanio in Alba
• La finta semplice
• Bastien und Bastienne

Recommended Resources:

Mozart and His Operas by David Cairns (2006)

The Metropolitan Opera book of Mozart Operas (1991 and later, if available)

Sources:

Mozart and his Operas, Edited by Stanley Sadie (2000)

Opera, Editor-in-Chief Andras Batta (2000)

The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin (1997)