About the work
Tragedia lirica in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini to a libretto by Felice Romani, based on Voltaire's tragedy 'Zaïre' (1732). The opera was composed expressly for the opening of the new Teatro Ducale (today's Teatro Regio) in Parma, where it was first performed on 16 May 1829.
Plot
Zaira, an orphaned Christian, has grown up in the harem of the sultan Orosmane and is to marry him, even though her brother Nerestano recognises her and urges her to flee after their imprisoned father Lusignano reveals himself as a French prince. When Orosmane misreads the siblings' secret meeting as a lover's betrayal, he stabs Zaira in a jealous rage; on learning the truth, he kills himself.
Cultural significance
Because Bellini had been hired only as a second choice after another composer and refused to set a libretto favoured by the theatre's management, little time remained for preparation, and the premiere audience responded coolly. Bellini soon afterwards reused large parts of the score in his next, successful opera 'I Capuleti e i Montecchi'.