The British broadcast premiere of Vivaldi's 18th opera, first performed in Rome in 1724 and recorded here last July at London's Royal College of Music. Based on historical fact, the work tells the story of ploughboy Giustino, who defeats wild bears, sea dragons and other obstacles to rise to prominence in the Byzantine army, eventually becoming emperor. Sung in Italian, and performed by La Serenissima:
Directors Adrian Chandler and Giulia Nuti