DR TD, I have to admit that I was unable to get through that naked ERCOLE opera. I didn't find the guy playing Ercole to be very appealing, so the whole naked actor aspect was not as enjoyable as I had thought it would be....and most of the male characters sounded like women.
I will stick with Steve Reeves and Mark Forest movies, I guess.
I went into it expecting a more 'serious' take on myths and legends, and instead I got what I found to be a delightful opera buffa. I really like Vivaldi as a composer, so the music was merrier and more mirthful than I had expected.
Also, I liked the tenors and certainly one of would have been quite an eyeful as Ercole.
But, as they say, "Different strokes" and "That's what makes horse-racing."
Today, in between Boyzone tunes, I have been listening to the Ercole recording.