Domitila is the title of the opera premiered in 2000 by João Guilherme Ripper at the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, in Rio de Janeiro. Inspired by letters exchanged between Dom Pedro I and the Marquess of Santos, Domitila de Castro Canto e Melo, between 1822 and 1829, the libretto narrates the day on which the Marquess bids farewell to Rio de Janeiro and returns to São Paulo, marking the end of a turbulent love affair, bringing to life the memories of Emperor Dom Pedro I’s most famous mistress. Now, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Brazil’s independence, the CCB is returning to this opera, having commissioned an orchestral version from the composer to be premiered in Portugal, with soprano Carla Caramujo joining the Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, which will be conducted by Brazilian conductor Tobias Volkman.
Domitila
Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra
José Maurício Garcia Zemira Overture
José Maurício Garcia Overture in D Minor
João Guilherme Ripper Domitila (Opera in one act in the version with orchestra commissioned by the CCB)
Carla Caramujo soprano
Tobias Volkmann conductor
Carlos Antunes stage and set design
Nuno Esteves costumes and props
