Elena (Cavalli)

It is set to a libretto initiated by Giovanni Faustini (who died in 1651) and completed by Nicolò Minato, and it was first performed in Venice at the Teatro San Cassiano (the dedication is 26 December 1659).

[3][4] Just like many other operas by Cavalli, Elena includes a ballo, or an Italian dance which incorporates singers, choristers, and instrumentalists.

[5] The Greek prince Menelaus (nephew of the king of Crete Atreus) and Theseus, king of Athens, are in love with Helen, a woman of rare beauty, famous for the fire of Troy.

Menelaus, to get closer to Helen, dresses as a woman to come and serve her by pretending to be an Amazon.

One day Peritous, seeing him in women's clothes fighting with Elena and therefore believing him to be a woman, falls in love with her.