Torquato Tasso

In the sun‑drenched gardens of the Belriguardo villa, Goethe opens his drama with a glittering tableau of poets and princes. Young Leonora and her brother, the Duke of Ferrara, move among statues of Vergil and Ariosto, their conversation sparkling with idealism and a longing for a golden age of poetry. Into this world steps Torquato Tasso, a brilliant but fragile poet whose reputation precedes him, and whose inner turmoil will soon clash with the expectations of courtly life.

Through lyrical speeches and intimate exchanges, the play probes the conflict between artistic freedom and the demands of power, as well as the fragile bonds of love and friendship. Goethe weaves history with imagination, letting listeners hear the rush of verses, the rustle of silk, and the quiet desperation of a genius on the brink. The first act sets a tone of beauty tinged with unease, inviting you to linger in a world where the pursuit of greatness can both elevate and endanger the soul.