Johann Adolf Hasse Cleofide

The libretto for Cleofide is Michelangelo Boccardi's adaptation of Pietro Metastasio's Alessandro nell'Indie. The plot is almost identical, but the focus shifts from Alessandro (Alexander the Great) to Cleofide, the wife of his adversary Poro, King of India. The importance of Cleofide’s character automatically expanded with her elevation to the title role, and Hasse naturally tailored the part specifically for his wife, the prima donna Faustina. The Macedonian King Alessandro has arrived in India on his campaign of conquests. There he defeats King Poro on the banks of the Hydaspes. Cleofide is the wife of Poro, who treats her with suspicion and jealousy. Erissena is Poro's sister and betrothed to his confidant Gandarte. Another central character is Alessandro’s trusted advisor Timagene, who is also driven by personal motives. After his defeat, Poro wants to take his own life, but Cleofide stops him and implores him to remember their love for each other. Taken prisoner by Timagene, he calls himself Hasbytes, a friend of Poro's, and impresses Alessandro so much with his courageous directness that the conqueror releases Poro. Alessandro also grants freedom to the captured Erissena, with whom Timagene immediately falls in love. In doing so, Alessandro unwittingly wins her heart, which angers Timagene and prompts him to plot a coup. Gandarte, who pretends to be Poro for a while in order to save him, is rejected by Erissena, who has fallen in love with Alessandro. Timagene conspires with Poro, but their joint plan to defeat the Macedonians in a second battle fails. To the jealous Poro, Cleofide, who is negotiating with Alessandro, appears to be a treacherous traitor. Alessandro wants to protect her from the wrath of her people and sees the only solution as a quick marriage to him. As rumors circulate that Poro has drowned, Cleofide agrees and secretly resolves to kill herself afterwards. In the end the misunderstandings are all cleared up: Poro is alive, Alessandro brings him together with Cleofide and allows them to keep their kingdom. He forgives the renegade Timagene. Poro in turn rewards Gandarte's loyalty and marries him to his sister Erissena.