SigmArt in partnership with the Palaces of St. Petersburg is delighted to present "La Serva Padrona" Comedy Opera by G.B. Pergolesi from the beautiful Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg, live on the 27th of November 2025 at 16.00 GMT (19.00 MSK), available on-demand near live exclusively on SigmArt.

A stage action full of brilliance and humor, bright characters and light music from arias accompanied by the Capriccio Italiano orchestra will create a festive mood in the hustle and bustle of weekdays. The Kapellmeister and bachelor Uberto will be performed by extraordinary Italian baritone Domenico Colaianni, laureate of international competitions and opera star of leading Italian theaters such as La Scala in Milan, Reggio in Turin, San Carlo in Naples. The cunning charming servant Serpina will be played by the multi-awarded Soprano Marina Zyatkova, winner of the first prize at the International Opera Competition in Marseille and winner of the Grand Prix at the Vocal Competition in Strasbourg.

The triumph of Italian music will be recreated by the CAPRICCIO ITALIANO ORCHESTRA under the direction of Christian Deliso to celebrate the 240 years of the Hermitage Theatre.

240 years ago, even before the completion of the finishing work, the Hermitage Theatre of the architect Giacomo Quarenghi opened with an opera in the genre of musical comedy. The works of the brightest representatives of the Neapolitan school made a significant contribution to the development of Russian theatrical and musical culture. In particular, the Italian composer Domenico Cimarosa, at the invitation of Catherine II, served at the court as a bandmaster for almost 4 years.

From the context, it becomes clear that it was the place that determined the genre and composers of the festive event. The choice of the Opera Buffa "The Maid Lady" or "La Serva Padrona" by G. B. Pergolesi is also not accidental. It was first performed in 1773 by students of the Smolny Institute in the Hermitage Theater.

A separate musical gift for the anniversary of the theater will be the performance by the Honored Artist of Russia, virtuoso violinist Maria Safaryants. The program will feature the work of the Baroque era "Chaconne" by T. Vitali-L. Charlier.

According to tradition, the host of the musical program will accompany it with historical remarks about music, great personalities and the oldest theater in Russia. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Catherine era, enjoy the colorful action of humorous operas by outstanding Italian composers.

Synopsis "La Serva Padrona"

Part 1 – dressing room
Uberto, an elderly bachelor, is angry and impatient with his maidservant, Serpina, because she has not brought him his chocolate today. Serpina has become so arrogant that she thinks she is the mistress of the household. Indeed, when Uberto calls for his hat, wig and coat, Serpina forbids him to leave the house, adding that from then on he will have to obey her orders. Uberto thereupon orders Vespone to find him a woman to marry so that he can rid himself of Serpina.

Part 2 – same dressing room
Serpina convinces Vespone to trick Uberto into marrying her. She informs Uberto that she is to marry a military man named Tempesta. She will be leaving his home and apologizes for her behavior. Vespone, disguised as Tempesta, arrives and, without saying a word, demands 4,000 crowns for a dowry. Uberto refuses to pay such a sum. Tempesta threatens him to either pay the dowry or marry the girl himself. Uberto agrees to marry Serpina. Serpina and Vespone reveal their trick; but Uberto realizes that he has loved the girl all along. They will marry after all; and Serpina will now be the true mistress of the household.