Atalanta

Loosely based on the mythological story of Atalanta, the opera is set in legendary times of ancient Greece. King Meleagro of Aetolia has disguised himself as a shepherd, taking the pseudonym Tirsi, and is enjoying his life in the countryside away from the cares of state. He is very much in love with the huntress "Amarilli", whom he does not realise is the Princess Atalanta. He meets up with Aminta, a real shepherd, who is desperately in love with the shepherdess Irene, who however when she appears, does nothing but pour scorn on Aminta. He declares he is ready to die for his love but will always be faithful to her. Nicandro, Irene's father and Meleagro's friend, tells Meleagro that Irene really loves Aminta too but she wants to be sure that he will be true to her. Princess Atalanta of Arcadia now comes on to the scene. She too has taken another name, Amarilli, and has retreated to the country disguised as a huntress. Everyone prepares to go hunting, but Atalanta will not permit Meleagro to remain by her side during the hunt, although she is really in love with him. When a wild boar comes running out of the woods, Aminta tries to throw himself into its path, so distraught is he by Irene's seeming rejection, but the others prevent him. Atalanta kills the boar and rejoices in her triumph. Everyone is celebrating Atalanta's triumph in killing the wild boar, but she herself is feeling sad because she is in love with "Tirsi". However she, a princess in disguise, cannot marry the si…

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