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Apollo et Hyacinthus (K. 38) – Latin intermedium in three acts
80
Latin
Synopsis
The god Apollo falls in love with the beautiful Spartan youth Hyacinthus. The mortal Zephyrus, also in love with Hyacinthus, becomes jealous. When Apollo throws a discus, Zephyrus diverts it to strike and kill Hyacinthus. In Ovid’s version, Apollo turns the dying youth into the hyacinth flower. However, the libretto by Rufinus Widl adds female characters (Melia, sister of Hyacinthus, and Oebalus, king) to create a heterosexual subplot: Melia and Apollo end up together, and Hyacinthus is resurrected, softening the homoerotic tragedy.
Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright
Rufinus Widl (based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book X)
Year of composition/publication / premiere
1767
Genre
Opera
LGBTQAI+ category
Gay, Queer
Level of centrality
Main character
Characters
Apollo, Hyacinthus and Zephyrus
Voice type
Contra-tenor, Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano, Contralto
Pronouns
he/him
Publisher / Rights holder
Public domain.
Where to buy / access the work
Performance rights
For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.
Official website
Audio recording(s)
Video performance(s)
Keywords
Mozart, Apollo, Hyacinthus, pederasty, queer containment, Ovid, Latin opera, 18th century, castrato