About the work
Cleofide is an opera seria in three acts by Johann Adolph Hasse. Michelangelo Boccardi adapted Pietro Metastasio's libretto "Alessandro nell'Indie" for the setting, and the work was also performed under that original title. It premiered on 13 September 1731 at the Dresden court theatre, marking the start of Hasse's decades-long tenure as Dresden's court composer.
Plot
After defeating King Poro at the Hydaspes, Alessandro (Alexander the Great) falls in love with Poro's betrothed, Queen Cleofide, who fears for Poro's fate. Only when Alessandro puts magnanimity above ambition does he restore Poro's kingdom and allow him to be united with Cleofide.
Cultural significance
Metastasio's text was among the most frequently set librettos of the 18th century, receiving more than 50 settings, including by Handel and Gluck. Hasse's version was performed across Europe until 1777, including Venice, Naples and Berlin; Antonio Vivaldi reworked it for Ferrara in 1737.