Leonardo Vinci’s “Astianatte” will make its modern world premiere with Ars Minerva at the ODC Theatre in San Francisco.

The recently resurrected Baroque opera was originally premiered in Naples in 1725.  “Astianatte” recounts the plot of Homer’s “Illiad.” Vinci’s original cast included Carlo Broschi (Farinelli,) Anna Maria Strada, Diana Vico, and the first Black opera star Vittoria Tesi whom the role of Andromaca (Andromache) was written.

The modern cast features mezzo-soprano Deborah Martínez Rosengaus in the role of Piro, mezzo-soprano Nika Printz in the role of Oreste (Orestes), soprano Aura Veruni in the role of Ermione (Hermione), and, contralto Jasmine Johnson in the role of Andromaca.

Céline Ricci, the founder and executive director of Ars Minerva, will direct the period orchestra.

Performances run Oct. 21 -23, 2022.