Temistocle (Porpora)

Temistocle is an opera in three acts composed by Nicola Porpora to an Italian libretto by Apostolo Zeno.

[2] There is another version, also by Porpora, to a libretto by Metastasio, first performed in 1743, as well as another opera on the same subject by Francesco Manelli (1595–1670).

[5] The action is set in the 5th century BC and concerns the Athenian general Themistocles who is in exile at the court of Artaxerxes I of Persia.

The plot revolves around conflicts of loyalty, central to which is Temistocle's refusal to assist Artaserse in conquering Athens.

This prompts the king to condemn him to death although at the end of the opera, impressed with Temistocle's sense of honour, he relents.