Admetus, king of Phere, must die; the god Apollo, a guest in the sovereign's house, obtains another soul to descend into the underworld in his place. There is only one person willing to make the ultimate sacrifice: his wife, Alcestis. And despite Apollo's efforts to keep her alive, Death (Thanatos) comes to take her before everyone's eyes. Life and death face each other in a fierce duel. Which of the two gods will ultimately triumph?

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Alcestis is a woman who faces the challenge of death and offers her life to save her home, while Admetus, defenceless in the face of death, can only mourn the void left by his wife. Just when there seems to be no hope left for the sovereigns' home, Admetus' benevolence towards his servants and his hospitality towards strangers turn the situation around. Guided by a prophecy from Apollo, it is ultimately the playful Heracles who resolves the situation in a surprising way, overturning the ending of what seemed to be a tragedy already concluded.

 

Dramaturgical direction: Elisabetta Matelli

Stage direction: Christian Poggioni

Restaging: Eri Çakalli

Chorus: Lucia Amarilli Sala

Scenic design and costumes: Dino Serra