la calisto

Francesco Cavalli and Giovanni Faustini’s “La Calisto”, which premiered in Venice in 1651, details the mythological story of the seduced nymph, Calisto. In this 368 year-old baroque opera we find Calisto, the Daughter of King Lycaon, living in the woods as a nymph in the moon goddess and warrior huntress Diana’s service. Jove (Zeus/Jupiter) visits earth and becomes enraptured with Calisto. In his original form, Calisto revokes the all-powerful God. After witnessing Calisto’s devotion to his daughter, Diana, Jove changes his form to Diana’s and seduces Calisto. Unaware of her father’s manipulation, Diana violently rejects Calisto’s affection and banishes her, amidst grappling with her own forbidden desires for the young shepherd, Endimione. In a jealous rage, Juno, Jove’s wife, hunts Calisto, ultimately ordering her furies to torture Calisto to death. Immortalizing her for her sacrifice, bravery, and tragedy, Jove transforms the dying Calisto into a collection of stars.