Ars Minerva will present the U.S. premiere of Antonia Bembo’s “Ercole Amante.”

The premiere, set for Nov. 14-16, 2025, will take place at the ODC Theater in San Francisco. The work, among the earliest surviving operas by a woman, tells the story of Hercules and his passion for the maiden Iole.

“For our tenth opera production, we are proud to present Antonia Bembo’s ‘Ercole Amante,’ a remarkable work by a female composer who blended French and Italian styles, reflecting her unique artistic identity,” said Ars Minerva Artistic Director Céline Ricci, per an official press release. “The choice to revive ‘Ercole Amante’ marks a milestone in our ongoing mission to bring diverse, overlooked, powerful voices to the forefront of opera.”

The work will star Zachary Gordin, Aura Veruni, Kindra Scharich, Maxwell Ary, and Sara Coudin. Ricci will direct, while Matthew Dirst will conduct.

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