Les Cenci

In the restless streets of 16th‑century Rome, a restless narrator muses on the legend of the Don Juan, using it as a lens to examine the fragile veneer of honor that masks a society ruled by hypocrisy and power. Against this backdrop, the story turns to the historical figure of François Cenci, a young noble whose restless spirit collides with the brutal authority of his tyrannical father and a corrupt clerical order. The prose weaves philosophical reflections with vivid scenes of Venetian intrigue, inviting listeners to feel the tension between personal desire and the demands of a rigid hierarchy.

The opening act follows Cenci as he navigates a world of lavish courts and secret passions, forming a dangerous attachment that threatens to expose the family's dark secrets. His growing disillusionment with the oppressive rule pushes him toward a desperate plan of rebellion, setting the stage for a tragic confrontation. Listeners are drawn into a richly textured portrait of Renaissance Italy, where love, honor, and vengeance intertwine in a haunting prelude to the unfolding drama.