I have to admit that my knowledge of Giovanni Paisiello did not extend beyond his charming version of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Here he tackles opera seria, and in spite of inhabiting a more dramatically formal structure, musically he achieves a higher level of innovation through harmony, orchestral color, and formal design. The same could be argued for Mozart’s forays into opera seria with Idomeneo and La Clemenza di Tito. All this points to a dramatic and musical language that Cherubini would further develop a decade later with Medea.

Lucilla Udovich brings vocal heft and a surprising amount of classical refinement to the title role, navigating the score with both authority and elegance.