Ciro in Babilonia, ossia La caduta di Baldassare (Cyrus in Babylon, or The Downfall of Belshazzar) is an azione sacra in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Francesco Aventi. It was first performed at the Teatro Comunale, Ferrara during Lent, 1812. The exact date of the premiere is unknown but is believed to be 14 March. During Lent it was the custom for Italian opera houses either to close or to stage works on themes from the Bible. Ciro in Babilonia is one of two Lenten operas by Rossini (along with Mosè in Egitto) and is based on the Biblical story of the overthrow of the Babylonian king Belshazzar by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great.
| Original Name | Ciro in Babilonia, ossia La caduta di Baldassare |
| Librettist | Francesco Aventi |
| Premiered | 1812, March 14th (Teatro Comunale) in Ferrara, Province of Ferrara, Italy |
| Instruments |
Voice (Tenor)
- Baldassare, King of Assyria
Voice (Contralto) - Ciro, King of Persia Voice (Soprano) - Amira, wife of Ciro, imprisoned by Baldassare Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Argene, confidant of Almira Voice (Bass) - Zambri, Babylonian prince Voice (Tenor) - Arbace, captain in Baldassare's army Voice (Bass) - Daniello, prophet Orchestra |
| Autotranslations beta |
Gioachino Rossini: Cyrus in Babylon, or The Downfall of Belshazzar Gioachino Rossini: Cyrus in Babylon, or The Downfall of Belshazzar Gioachino Rossini: Cyrus in Babylon, or The Downfall of Belshazzar |