The Royal Opera
Jakub Hrůša
Music Director
Oliver Mears
Director of Opera
Giustino
Opera seria
Sunday 12 October 2025 2pm
Please note that casting is subject to change up until the start of the performance. Please continue to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
Approximate Timings
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, including one interval
Part I
75 minutes
Interval
25 minutes
Part II
50 minutes
A co-production with La Nuova Musica
Credits
- Music
George Frideric Handel
- Libretto
Pietro Pariati
after Nicolò Beregan
- Performing Edition by
Peter Jones
- Director
Joe Hill-Gibbins
- Designer
Rosanna Vize
- Associate Director
Jenny Ogilvie
- Lighting Designer
James Farncombe
- Fight Director
Philip d'Orléans
Cast
- Giustino
Polly Leech
- Anastasio
Keri Fuge
- Arianna/La Fortuna
Mireille Asselin
- Leocasta
Esme Bronwen-Smith
- Amanzio
Jake Arditti
- Vitaliano
Benjamin Hulett
- Polidarte
Jonathan Lemalu
Chorus and Orchestra
- Conductor
David Bates
- Orchestra
La Nuova Musica
- Chorus
Kristina Ammattil
Anais Manz
Eva Stone-Barney
Louisa Stuart-Smith
William Prasetyo
Max Robbins
Matias Carbonetti Schwanek
Jan-Magnar Gard
LA NUOVA MUSICA
- Violin 1
Jane Gordon
James Toll
Kirra Thomas
Simone Pirri
Anna Curzon
- Violin 2
Davina Clarke
Sijie Chen
Will Mcgahon
George Clifford
- Viola
Jordan Potter
Thomas Kettle
- Cello
Alexander Rolton
Kinga Gáborjáni
- Double Bass
Judith Evans
- Oboe/Recorder
Leo Duarte
Sarah Humphrys
- Bassoon
Inga Maria Klaucke
- On-stage Horn
Ursula Paludan Monberg
Joseph Walters
- On-stage Trumpet
Paul Sharp
Matthew Wells
- Theorbo
Jonatan Bougt
- Harpsichord
David Gerrard
LINBURY THEATRE
- Senior Producer
Rachel Caccia
- Producer
Grace Cook
- Assistant Producer
Darragh Kelly
- Linbury Technical Manager
Thomas Thompson
- Linbury Assistant Technical Manager
Nick Manning
- Senior Stage Technician
Charlie Earl
- Stage Technician
Daryl Anderson
- Senior Lighting Technician
Sophie Bailey
- Lighting Technician
Matt Iles
- Senior Sound and Video Technician
Andre Birck
- Sound and Video Technician
Sharon Tsang
- Armoury Manager
Max Brown
- Linbury Costume Manager
Alice Lessing
- Draughting and Design Studio Manager
Claire Meakin
La Nuova Musica
- ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
David Bates
- CEO
John Summers OBE
- PRODUCER
Megan Russell
- CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
Cathy Wearing
Synopsis
Part OneAt court, the widowed Empress Arianna, crowns her new husband, Anastasio. The celebrations are cut short when Polidarte delivers a message from his general, the rebel leader Vitaliano. Vitaliano offers to cease his attack on the empire if Arianna surrenders to his bed. She refuses and Anastasio departs to fight Vitaliano. Unbeknownst to her husband, Arianna follows.
Giustino, a young boy, is visited in a dream by the Goddess Fortuna, who declares that a great destiny awaits him. He wakes and immediately rescues a woman, Leocasta, from a bear. Leocasta is attracted to Giustino and sees great potential in him as a future leader. Meanwhile Amanzio, Anastasio’s political advisor, secretly plots to seize power through deception.
Arianna is captured by Polidarte and brought to Vitaliano. When she refuses to yield to Vitaliano, he decides to feed her to a sea monster. Anastasio has heard of Giustino’s brave exploits and sends him to rescue Arianna. Giustino kills the sea monster and captures Vitaliano. Amanzio grows jealous of Giustino’s favour with the Emperor. Anastasio and Arianna are reunited.Interval
Part TwoVitaliano is now Arianna’s captive, to her delight. Meanwhile the scheming Amanzio poisons Anastasio’s mind against Giustino. He convinces the Emperor that Arianna’s gift of a treasure to Giustino is not a reward for his heroics but evidence of infidelity. Anastasio is enraged and turns on his young champion. Leocasta is fearful for Giustino and tells Arianna that she suspects Amanzio of treachery.
Imprisoned, Giustino curses the Goddess Fortuna, and falls asleep from exhaustion. Vitaliano escapes his bonds and is about to kill Giustino when he hears the voice of his dead father warning him that he is about to murder his own brother. Vitaliano is stunned to discover the family mark on Giustino’s arm, and the brothers are reconciled.
Amanzio has usurped the throne and imprisoned Anastasio. Giustino returns and defeats Amanzio, ordering his immediate execution. In thanks, Anastasio offers Giustino Leocasta’s hand in marriage, and makes him co-regent.
Guidance
There is a gunshot after the interval at the end of Part II
Please note that, as this is a new production, age guidance and content warnings may be subject to change.
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles, which are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Further information
Digital Cast Sheets
We are working hard on our commitment towards becoming more sustainable and are striving for our net zero goal of 2035. By using digital cast sheets and e-tickets, we have reduced our paper consumption by over five tonnes per year. You can view our digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone by scanning the QR codes displayed around the building using your smartphone’s camera app. They are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria. Cast sheets are generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
Guidelines
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you. Mobile phones should be turned off and stored away safely during performances.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is our priority. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
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