Antonia Bembo Fled Venice to Escape Her Abusive Husband – over Three Centuries Later, Her Opera Finally Takes the Stage

Antonia Bembo fled Venice to escape her abusive husband – over three centuries later, her opera finally takes the stage

After fleeing Venice, Antonia Bembo lived near the newly constructed Porte Saint-Denis, a triumphal arch in Paris that's depicted in this 19th-century painting by Jean Francois Lebelle. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty ImagesThe Paris Opera has staged iconic works like “Don Carlos” and “Les Troyens,” along with celebrated ballets such as “Les Indes Galantes” and “The Rite of Spring.” But you’d be forgiven for not having heard of Antonia Be…

Antonia Bembo fled Venice to flee her abusive husband – over 3 centuries later, her opera in the end takes the degree

The Paris Opera has staged iconic works like “Don Carlos” and “Les Troyens,” along side celebrated ballets similar to “Les Indes Galantes” and “The Rite of Spring.” However you’d be forgiven for no longer having heard of Antonia Bembo, whose 1707 opera “Ercole Amante” – “Hercules in Love” – will likely be staged at Paris’ Opéra Bastille for the primary time on Might 28, 2026. Born round 1640, Bembo and her opera remained difficult to understand …