About the work
Antigono is an opera seria in three acts by Josef Mysliveček, setting Pietro Metastasio's libretto that had premiered at the Dresden court (Hubertusburg) in 1743 and is based on the ancient history of Pompeius Trogus as epitomised by Justin. Mysliveček's own setting was first performed on 5 April 1780 at the Teatro delle Dame in Rome.
Plot
The Macedonian king Antigono is betrothed to the Egyptian princess Berenice, but his banished son Demetrio also loves her. When King Alessandro of Epirus invades Macedonia, Demetrio proves his loyalty by freeing his father, and Antigono rewards him with Berenice's hand.
Cultural significance
Antigono was Mysliveček's last opera: he composed it while gravely ill, only months before his death, and its success made up for the failure of his opera Armida earlier the same year.