Circe opened the opera season of 1783 in Milan at the Teatro alla Scala, the biggest opera house of the city. It is a full-scale dramma per musica in three acts, to a libretto by Domenico Perelli. The story is derived from the Greek legend of Circe, a powerful enchantress, and of her love for the adventurer Ulysses, king of Ithaca. A love triangle evolves, and conflicts between Circe and Ulysses create much of the emotional tension of the opera. La Circe contains two marches that help create scenic moods, a duet, and a vocal quartet. But because it is a serious opera, it comprises mainly of solo arias and recitativo semplice, which was sparingly accompanied by the harpsichord. Like Mozart who came after him, Cimarosa's recitative is highly melodic and satisfying musically. Because its purpose is to leave the text comprehensible to the audience and aid in the action of the drama, it is transparently composed. La Circe was well liked by the public, and after its premiere in December it went on to play at other opera theaters.

© All Music Guide