It was eventually premiered posthumously at
La Scala on 1 May 1924, conducted by
Arturo Toscanini in a version of the score completed by Toscanini,
Vincenzo Tommasini, and
Antonio Smareglia. The role of Nero, originally intended for
Francesco Tamagno, was first performed by
Aureliano Pertile. The role of Asteria, a young woman torn between her love for Nero and her Christian sympathies, was created by
Rosa Raisa. The opera was very well received at its premiere, and the newly rebuilt
Rome Opera House inaugurated its first season with
Nerone in 1928. However, it has only been rarely performed since that time, even in Italy. It did not receive its US premiere until 12 April 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the
Opera Orchestra of New York conducted by
Eve Queler in
Carnegie Hall. ==Roles==