What is "zemira"

Zemira is an opera seria in three acts by Francesco Bianchi. The libretto was by Gaetano Sertor.

Zemira like other works by Bianchi, was innovative. As Marita P. McClymonds explains, "Unusual components in this work are the opening trio with storm music, the short duet for two men, the programmatic battle music, the extensive quartet . . . The version for Naples features extensive use of clarinets . . . available there some ten years earlier than in other Italian cities."