Nerone (Boito)

The work is a series of scenes from Imperial Rome at the time of Emperor Nero depicting tensions between the Imperial religion and Christianity, and ends with the Great Fire of Rome.

It was eventually premiered posthumously at La Scala on 1 May 1924, conducted by Arturo Toscanini in a version of the score completed by Toscanini, Vincenzo Tommasini, and Antonio Smareglia.

The role of Nero, originally intended for Francesco Tamagno, was first performed by Aureliano Pertile.

The role of Asteria, a young woman torn between her love for Nero and her Christian sympathies, was created by Rosa Raisa.

It did not receive its US premiere until 12 April 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the Opera Orchestra of New York conducted by Eve Queler in Carnegie Hall.