Libro segreto

In a lavish royal hall, the curtain rises on a bustling scene of mourners, ministers, and courtiers, all caught in the pomp and absurdity of a state funeral for the late King Sichéo. The drama blends comedy, opera, and ballet, weaving together historical intrigue with mythic figures like Jupiter, Venus, and Cupid, who hover in the background as the human players argue over protocol and grief. A chorus of women in solemn brown robes punctuates the action with mournful chants, while the court’s bureaucrats trade barbed quips about money, power, and the strange rituals that bind them.

At the heart of the first act stands Queen Dido, a regal yet tormented figure who refuses to accept the constraints of constitutional rule when faced with the loss of her beloved. Her desperate pleas to the ministers to allow her a final, private farewell set off a clash between personal sorrow and political machination, exposing the fragile line between duty and desire. Listeners are invited into this richly textured tableau, where the grandeur of ancient myth collides with the farcical realities of 19th‑century governance, promising a theatrical experience that is both moving and sharply witty.