First the Music and Then the Words

Before curtain rises and aria soars, a familiar debate lingers in the wings: what comes first—the music or the words?

In this witty one-act opera by Antonio Salieri, the age-old rivalry between composer and librettist is thrust centre stage with delightful absurdity. Commissioned for a double-bill premiere alongside Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor in 1786, Prima la musica e poi le parole pokes fun at the operatic process itself, complete with duelling divas, artistic egos, and last-minute creative chaos.

As the Maestro scrambles to finish a score and the Poet flails for a plot, two sopranos arrive—each demanding the starring role. What follows is a whirlwind of musical parody, theatrical send-up, and self-aware hilarity that gently mocks the very art form it so lovingly celebrates.

With sparkling music, sharp satire, and timeless insight into the creative struggle, Prima la musica e poi le parole is a joyful ode to opera’s glorious contradictions. Join Operantics for this rare comic gem, where behind-the-scenes drama takes centre stage.