La Calisto

Calisto, La (Cavalli). Libretto by Giovanni Faustini; prol. and 3 acts; first performance Venice 1651.

Legendary Greece: Callisto is a follower of Diana. To win her for himself, Jupiter follows Mercury's advice to come down to earth disguised as Diana. However, the real Diana is in love with Endymion. Pan, himself in love with Diana, captures Endymion. Jupiter's wife Juno turns Callisto into a bear. Endymion is rescued by Diana. Jupiter cannot undo his wife's spell, but places Callisto among the stars as the constellation Ursa Minor.