About the work
"Saffo" is a tragedia lirica in three parts by Giovanni Pacini to a libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, based on Franz Grillparzer's play "Sappho". It premiered on 29 November 1840 at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples under Antonio Farelli; the work is regarded as Pacini's masterpiece and marked his return to opera after years of withdrawal.
Plot
The plot follows the poet Sappho, whose beloved Faone instead becomes engaged to Climene, daughter of the high priest Alcandro. After an outburst at the wedding, Sappho goes to the Leucadian Leap, the cliff from which the lovesick traditionally jumped hoping for Apollo's rescue. She leaps and drowns.
Cultural significance
The opera was quickly taken up on stages in Paris, London and New York after its premiere and remained in the repertoire throughout the 19th century; the 20th century brought occasional revivals with singers such as Leyla Gencer (1967) and Montserrat Caballé (1987).