Zaira is a tragedia lirica, or tragic opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini set to a libretto by Felice Romani which was based on Voltaire's 1732 play, Zaïre. The story takes place in the time of the Crusades and the opera's plot involves the heroine, Zaira, struggling between her Christian faith and her love for Orosmane, the Muslim Sultan of Jerusalem.
| Librettist | Felice Romani (Based on Voltaire's play Zaïre) |
| Date of composition | 1829 |
| Premiered | 1829, May 16th (Teatro Regio di Parma) in Parma, Province of Parma, Italy |
| First published | 1829 |
| Type | Tragédie en musique (Musical Tragedy) |
| Spoken language | Italian |
| Instruments |
Chorus/Choir
Orchestra Voice (Soprano) - Zaira, favourite of Orosmane Voice (Bass) - Orosmane, Sultan of Jerusalem Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Nerestano, brother of Zaira Voice (Tenor) - Corasmino, vizir Voice (Bass) - Lusignano, father of Zaira and Nerestano Voice (Tenor) - Castiglione Voice (Soprano) - Fatima Voice (Bass) - Meledor |
| Links | |
| Autotranslations beta |
Vincenzo Bellini: Zaira "Tragedia lirica in due atti" Vincenzo Bellini: Zaira "Tragedia lirica in due atti" Vincenzo Bellini: Zaira "Tragedia lirica in due atti" |