Fedra

Fedra is an opera in three acts composed by Ildebrando Pizzetti to an Italian-language libretto which he abridged from the text of Gabriele D'Annunzio's 1909 tragedy of the same name. The play and the opera recount the story of the Greek mythological figure Phaedra and her unrequited love for her stepson Hippolytus. It premiered on 20 March 1915 at La Scala in Milan conducted by Gino Marinuzzi. Roles Synopsis The Prelude opens with an extended melody for violas, reflecting Fedra’s passionate desire for Ippolito. Fedra conceives an insane irresistible passion for her stepson, Ippolito, born of a previous relationship of her husband with the queen of Amazons.