Artemisia
A new opera in development
~ The Heart of a Woman, the Soul of an Artist ~
Concept by Mary Finsterer
A one-act opera where art and reality dissolve into one another, ARTEMISIA unveils the world of a woman who redefined both. Inspired by the artistic fire of Artemisia Gentileschi, the stage becomes a living canvas, shifting with the light and shadow of her extraordinary life. With the libretto written by Tom Wright and music composed by Mary Finsterer, we traverse the storms and triumphs of her journey, stepping into the depths of her heart—uncompromising, luminous and eternal.
Rooted in the duality of Artemis, the opera explores the sacred and the worldly through the bold brushstrokes of Gentileschi’s art. Her name itself embodies this duality: the spiritual, linked to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and the worldly, shaped by her father, Orazio. This interplay of devotion and ambition, resilience and vulnerability, defines the essence of her story.
A Journey through Five Cities
The opera unfolds across five pivotal cities—Rome, Florence, Venice, London, and Naples—each a reflection of Artemisia’s artistic evolution. These cities serve as both backdrop and catalyst, shaping her identity and creative voice:
Rome: The crucible of her early struggles, where trauma and artistic ambition collide.
Florence: The city of growth, where her talent flourishes, and she asserts her place in the art world.
Venice: A luminous realm of color and sensuality, marking her artistic zenith.
London: A place of exile and reinvention, where she remains an outsider yet continues to evolve.
Naples: The final chapter, steeped in spiritual introspection and artistic culmination.
This structure, akin to a five-act symphony, allows for a fluid, non-linear narrative where paintings emerge organically within the dramatic arc. Her works—Susanna and the Elders, Judith and Holofernes, Cleopatra, Lucretia—become echoes of her life’s trials and triumphs, returning as refrains of resilience and transformation.
The Opera’s Thematic Core
At its heart, ARTEMISIA is a meditation on identity, power, and artistic defiance. Through myth and history, the opera breathes life into the figures she painted—characters who step forth from the canvas to challenge, console, and confront her. These interactions deepen the narrative, blending the personal with the universal:
Orazio Gentileschi (Baritone): A spectral presence, embodying both mentor and oppressor, reflecting his complex role in Artemisia’s life.
Cleopatra & Lucretia: Icons of suffering and sovereignty, mirroring Artemisia’s own struggles with agency and justice.
As the opera reaches its culmination, Artemisia moves toward a deeper acceptance of life’s mysteries. Her final moments are not just an artist’s farewell but an embrace of the ineffable—the act of laying down her brush, surrendering to the unknowable with grace and humility.
AESTHETIC APPROACH
The libretto interweaves Latin and English, heightening the opera’s timeless resonance. Latin, with its universal gravitas, transcends the personal to evoke themes of spirituality and destiny, while English anchors the narrative in the human and the immediate. This linguistic interplay reflects the duality of Artemisia’s journey—earthly yet eternal, intimate yet boundless.
The music of ARTEMISIA intricately weaves the essence of each city into a cohesive sonic canvass, charting her artistic and emotional evolution. Rome brims with stark contrasts—fractured motifs and dissonant harmonies mirroring her early struggles and oppression. Florence introduces warmth and lyrical fluidity, reflecting her artistic ascent within the Medici court. In Venice, iridescent orchestration and sensuous harmonic shifts capture the city's opulence and the height of her creative expression. London, a space of exile and reinvention, blends English Baroque austerity with an unsettled, exploratory tone, emphasizing her outsider status. Naples brings the journey full circle, its mystical choral writing and luminous orchestral textures evoking spiritual transcendence. Though each city possesses a distinct soundscape, leitmotifs and recurring themes unify the work, ensuring Artemisia’s voice emerges—unyielding, evolving, and eternal.
A VISION FOR
2028
Premiering in Germany in 2028, ARTEMISIA will bring to life the struggles and triumphs of a woman who defied expectation and carved her place in history. Full details will be revealed in April 2025.
This opera is not just a retelling of an artist’s life—it is an invocation of her spirit, a celebration of art’s power to transcend, and an invitation to step into the world of a woman who, against all odds, painted her own destiny.
ARTEMISIA builds on the work of Mary Finsterer as an established composer, following the success of her two award-winning operas, BIOGRAPHICA and ANTARCTICA. It strengthens Australia’s cultural landscape by pushing the boundaries of contemporary opera, fostering innovative storytelling and contributing to our rich artistic heritage.
JOIN US!
“Music creates a framework that identifies our place in the passing of time.
It is our personal and collective signature that not only links us to the past, it provides a gateway for a cultural response in future generations.”
ARTEMISIA is at the critical stage of development. Exclusive opportunities are now open to become a Patron of this Opera. Your generous support is vital in bringing ARTEMISIA to life, honouring one of history’s most ground-breaking artists. Artemisia Gentileschi defied societal constraints to forge an enduring legacy and this opera embodies her resilience, artistry and bold defiance. Join Anchor Patron, Kim Williams AM who has been an ongoing Patron of Mary’s work since 2017.
Be a part of history–making and visit the Australia Cultural Fund: