There have been countless revolutions in the art of storytelling since the 17th century, but one thing remains constant, says director Dean Bryant during rehearsals for Pinchgut Opera’s new production Giustino: a rags-to-riches tale will always pull a crowd.

“In the 1680s, Giustino was pure entertainment, like a streaming series or a movie is to an audience today,” Bryant tells Limelight. “It’s got everything in it.”

First performed in Venice in 1683, Giovanni Legrenzi’s three-act opera was once one of the best-known works of the period, one that played across Europe for decades after it premiered. Unusually for that time, it told a tale from history rather than mythology – that of Justin I, the peasant-soldier who rose to become one of the late Roman Empire’s most significant rulers.

“It’s such an adventure story,” says Bryant, who makes his Pinchgut debut with Giustino. “It’s very plot-forward for an opera – this happened, then this happened, this this … It never lets up!”

The cast of Pinchgut Opera’s Giustino. Photo © Cassandra Hannagan

Bryant comes to the piece as an early opera first-timer. Prior to working with Pinchgut, he was...