&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:Saverio_Mercadante_by_Cefaly.jpg)
La vestale (The Vestal Virgin) is an opera by Italian composer Saverio Mercadante. It takes the form of a tragedia lirica in three acts. The libretto, by Salvadore Cammarano, was influenced by Victor-Joseph Étienne de Jouy's libretto for Spontini's more famous 1807 opera of the same name.
The opera's first performance took place at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, on 10 March 1840.