Giovanni Battista Pergolesi became the leading representative of the development of the early Neapolitan Opera Buffa. "La Serva Padrona", his most popular opera until today, caused the "Buffonisten" controversy at its premiere in 1752.

The Czech composer based his libretto on the play "Le Voyage de Thésée" by his friend and trusted source of inspiration, Georges Neveux. Martinu is said to have written the opera for Maria Callas. In this production, the role is sung by the…