LA CLEMENZA DI TITO

27 May – 20 June 2027

Composed in the final year of Mozart’s life, while he was also completing The Magic Flute, La clemenza di Tito was commissioned to celebrate the coronation of Leopold II as King of Bohemia. Award-winning director PJ Harris directs this new production, with Clemens Schuldt returning to Garsington following his ‘buoyant and bracing’ (Daily Telegraph) interpretation of Mitridate, re di Ponto in 2023. In the title role, we welcome back tenor Ed Lyon after his celebrated performances as Ulisse (2026) and Grimoaldo in Rodelinda (2025).

Loosely based on the life of the first-century Roman emperor Titus, this drama of political intrigue and emotional upheaval could have been formulaic. In Mozart’s hands, however, with music of glorious warmth and power, the characters take on exceptional life, and become vivid and relatable in their entanglements of jealous rivalry, guilt and betrayal.

The fiercely ambitious Vitellia will stop at nothing to regain the throne that she considers to be rightfully hers. The Emperor Tito is put to the ultimate test by her machinations. Can he find within himself the grace to bestow mercy and forgiveness?

Sung in Italian with English supertitles