About the work
Gli astrologi immaginari is a two-act opera buffa by Giovanni Paisiello to a libretto by Giovanni Bertati, who reworked his own text already used successfully in 1772 for Gennaro Astarita's opera 'I visionari' in Venice. It premiered on 14 February 1779 (3 February by the Julian calendar) at the Hermitage theatre in St Petersburg, where Paisiello served as court Kapellmeister to Catherine II.
Plot
The self-styled amateur astrologer Petronio Sciatica refuses to let his daughter Clarice marry her suitor. The suitor disguises himself as a supposed ancient philosopher named Argatifontidas and deceives the credulous Petronio in order to obtain his consent to the marriage. When the deception is exposed, Petronio remains bound by a document he has already signed.
Cultural significance
The premiere was an overwhelming success: Empress Catherine II was so delighted that she wrote an enthusiastic letter about it two days later. The work quickly spread across Europe and, alongside 'Il barbiere di Siviglia', ranks among the most successful operas of Paisiello's St Petersburg years.