Ennio Morricone’s Lost Opera Finally Premieres in Naples After 30-Year Wait

Naples, Italy witnessed a historic musical event this week. The only opera by the legendary composer Ennio Morricone debuted at the Teatro San Carlo. The work, titled “Partenope,” was performed for the first time three decades after it was written. Morricone passed away in 2020 without ever seeing his operatic vision come to life.

According to Reuters, the premiere marks the culmination of a long and frustrating journey for the Oscar-winner’s stage work. The performance is also a centerpiece of celebrations for Naples’ 2,500th anniversary. It connects the city’s ancient mythic origins with its modern cultural resurgence.

A Composer’s Unrealized Dream and a City’s Rebirth

Ennio Morricone composed “Partenope” in 1995. He was already globally famous for iconic film scores like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Yet acceptance in Italy’s traditional opera world eluded him. The opera was originally meant for a small festival that went bankrupt, shelving the project indefinitely.

Several later revival attempts also failed. Collaborators say Morricone was deeply frustrated by being pigeonholed as just a film composer. He sought recognition for his “absolute music.” The Naples premiere finally grants that posthumous acknowledgment. It allows his complex orchestration, which omits violins in favor of flutes and folk instruments, to be heard.

Myth, Music, and Modern Naples Converge on Stage

The opera is based on the myth of the siren Partenope. Legend says her body formed the ancient settlement that became Naples. The production uses two sopranos to represent her dual nature as both woman and myth. Director Vanessa Beecroft and conductor Riccardo Frizza had to interpret Morricone’s score without his direct guidance.

The event resonates deeply with the city’s current revival. Naples is enjoying renewed global attention for its cuisine, literature, and soccer triumphs. The packed theater for open rehearsals showed immense local anticipation. For Neapolitans, the opera is not just a premiere but a reclaiming of a lost piece of their cultural heritage.

The long-delayed debut of Ennio Morricone’s opera provides a poignant coda to the maestro’s storied career. It fulfills his dream of entering the operatic canon and enriches Naples’ vibrant cultural tapestry. This premiere finally gives voice to a silent masterpiece.

Thought you’d like to know

Why did Morricone’s opera take 30 years to premiere?

The original festival commissioned it went bankrupt. Later attempts with other theaters fell through due to funding and directorial issues. The project remained in limbo until Teatro San Carlo revived it for Naples’ anniversary.

How did Morricone feel about the opera’s delay?

Collaborators say he was deeply disappointed and viewed it as a sign he was not accepted in the opera world. In later years, he reportedly made peace with his career, though he never saw the work performed.

What is the musical style of the “Partenope” opera?

Morricone used a unique orchestration without violins. He featured flutes, harps, and horns linked to Greek myth. The score also includes modern percussion and traditional Neapolitan folk instruments like the tambourine.

What is the connection between Partenope and the city of Naples?

Partenope is the mythical siren whose body supposedly formed the first Greek settlement on the site of Naples. The city’s spirit and identity are deeply tied to this founding legend, celebrated in monuments and local stories.

Who was involved in finally staging the opera?

Director Vanessa Beecroft and conductor Riccardo Frizza led the production. They worked from Morricone’s original score and libretto by Guido Barbieri and Sandro Cappelletto to bring the vision to the stage.