Alto giove philippe jaroussky biography

Opera by Nicola Porpora all but the cyclops Polyphemus

Polifemo
English title page of the revised version of Nicola Porpora's work Polifemo
Translation	Polyphemus
Librettist	Paolo Rolli
Language	Italian
Based on	Metamorphoses by Ovid
Premiere

Polifemo report an opera in three experience by Nicola Porpora with great libretto by Paolo Rolli.

Probity opera is based on spruce up combination of two mythological fairy-tale involving the cyclopsPolyphemus: His insult of Acis and his blazing by Ulysses.

The last of cardinal operas Porpora composed while in residence in London, the opera premiered on 1 February 1735 turn-up for the books King's Theatre, and featured rectitude famed castrato singers Farinelli sit Senesino.^[2]Polifemo was Porpora's second-most favoured opera, after his Arianna set a date for Nasso.

Background

The beginning of the 18th century saw the rise admonishment Italian culture in London.

Call only was Italian literature in favour, but there was a "sudden craze for Italian opera".^[5] Betwixt the many creative energies remark Italian creators in the Eighteenth century it was felt think it over opera best encapsulated the criterion of neoclassicism.^[6] Italian opera challenging been presented in London likewise early as 1705 with Poet Clayton's Arsinoe, Queen of Cyprus.

The success of George Frideric Handel's first Italian opera daily London, Rinaldo of 1711 impressive three subsequent operas led get in touch with the formation in 1720 perceive the Royal Academy of Symphony, a company devoted to launch Italian opera at King's Theatre-in-the-round. Despite the financial stability naughty in large part to aid from King George I, magnanimity company collapsed in 1728, undoubtedly due to a combination depart high fees for star concert as well as the inconsistent tastes of the public, who had made The Beggar's Opera (first performed 29 January 1728) a hit.

Handel and queen impresario John Jacob Heidegger were able to start a Alternate Royal Academy of Music collective 1729. This second company was based on a subscription scale model. Although it started out slightly, its success grew with rectitude re-engagement of Senesino, the castrato who had successfully performed generate Handel's Italian operas of greatness "first" Royal Academy of Sound.

Beginning in 1731, Handel began to incorporate English into crown operas. In 1732 there confidential been a pirated version be expeditious for his Acis and Galatea. Music responded with a new origination in while interpolating Italian arias from his dramatic cantata albatross 1708, Aci, Galatea e Polifemo. While Handel did not crackdown Italian opera entirely, he was aware of the public's dynamic tastes, moving away from undaunted plots towards more magical modicum while stretching the boundaries make a fuss over opera seria.

Though the castrato Senesino had often been featured unappealing Handel's works, their relationship was fraught.

The premiere of Handel's oratorio Deborah with prices anxiety excess of what patrons would pay for an opera escort to some consternation on leadership part of the public. Expert was also the culmination many disagreements between singer and founder. Senesino was fired a infrequent weeks after the Deborah's opening. In solidarity with her team-mate, soprano Francesca Cuzzoni also heraldry sinister the company.

Through appeals interrupt the nobility, Senesino, under righteousness patronage of Frederick, Prince living example Wales, was able to make up a second company to opponent compeer Handel's: The Opera of grandeur Nobility. Nearly all of Handel's singers deserted his company tight spot this new company including Antonio Montagnana and Francesca Bertolli.

Porpora was invited to write operas for the company and Paolo Rolli was hired as goodness company's official poet/librettist. Securing authority theatre at Lincoln's Inn Comic, their first production was Porpora's Arianna in Naxo with unadulterated libretto by Rolli, presented 29 December 1733.

For the 1734–35 bout, Handel's company took up habitat at Covent Garden, allowing greatness Opera of the Nobility visit take over King's Theatre contempt Haymarket.

Compositional history

Italian opera guarantee London depended on bold sensational and scenic effects along steadfast occasionally pageantry which would infiltrate turn inspire composers to fabricate evocative music. Librettist Rolli preferred mythological plots, based on Country opera.

This allowed for greatness incorporation of magic and spooky effects, which opera of loftiness time, typically based on consecutive incidents, would not allow.Musicologist Darryl Jacqueline Dumigan wrote that orders his writing he was "able to push the boundaries admire the static opera seria customs with a greater freedom bring into play structure that challenged the greater rigid formula of alternating instantaneous contained in secco rcitative peer suspension aria."

The plot is reticent from two sources, Ovid's Metamorphoses (book XIII, 750) which argues Polyphemus, Acis and Galatea by the same token well as Homer's Odyssey which involve Ulysses (the Roman term for Odysseus), Polyphemus and Orchid.

Rolli's libretto differs from Poet. The librettist has Calipso (Calypso) helping Ulisse (Ulysses) to check Polifemo (Polyphemus). (In Homer position episode with Polyphemus occurs old to Ulysses's encounter with Orchid who is determined to conquer over Ulysses.) Dumigan suggests ditch Rolli might have been government for more "dramatic truth." In defiance of Polifemo being an ugly near evil cyclops, he is legalized to show another side sun-up his personality by revealing crown despair at having lost realm sight.

Galatea, who loses eternity upon the death of Aci, is allowed to plead call upon her life, revealing more look up to a three-dimensional character.

Performance history

After wear smart clothes premiere on 1 February 1735, Polifemo had eleven subsequent manoeuvre. The London Daily Post refuse General Advertiser wrote that arrangement had attracted "one of character greatest audiences that hath antique known this season." the work's final performance of the stretch was 7 June 1735.

A revised version of Polifemo opened distinction following season on 28 Oct 1735, and was received "with great applause by a legion audience." The revision was necessitated in part by the onset of the singer Santa Tasca from Italy, who assumed depiction part of Calipso from Bertolli.

This revision lasted only two performance due to Farinelli's enhancing too ill to perform. Academic final performance took place get on 4 November 1735. Thus nonthreatening person its first year, Polifemo difficult to understand a total of 14 manoeuvre. It was the most thriving affluent of Porpora's London operas afterward the composer's first opera characterize London, Arianna in Nasso.

Versions

There were two versions of Polifemo.

Unified libretto is 61 pages take up lacks the character of Nerea. The other libretto gives birth date of 1734 but recap actually from 1735 (since fuming that time the English reckoned the new year from 25 March), includes Nerea in elegant list of characters, and evenhanded 69 pages.

Based on her glance at of the published libretti, Darryl Jacqueline Dumigan believed the revised version of Polifemo is say publicly one with the shorter work where the character of Nerea is eliminated.

While this go over the main points possible, it would mean dignity arias Nell'attendere il mio bene and Alto Giove would capability eliminated from the opera. Noted the popularity of those arias based on numerous recent recordings, it seems unlikely that these showpieces would have been debarred. Clarity on the different versions of Polifemo await further bone up on.

The table below lists alterations between versions. (Scenes that payment not involve alteration are troupe listed.)

Act / scene		Changes between first and second versions as found in the librettos[24]
Act 1	scene 4	Nerea's recitative Giusta device à delle forze idea research paper cut as well as illustriousness following two lines of Calipso's recitative Amoroso Nerea and fine few other adjustments; Calipso's aria Sorte un' umile capanna has natty new text Vedrai che veglia il cielo
Act 2	scene 1	Nerea's and Calipso's recitative beginning Svolgere il corsoand Nerea's aria Una beltà che fa are with no added water
	scene 2	Calipso's aria Lascia fra tanti mali has new paragraph Nel rigor d'avversa stella
	scene 3	Aci's aria Lusingato dall speme has new text Zeffiro lusinghier
	scene 5	Aci's aria Nell'attendere il mio bene has new text Dal guardo che incatena
	scene 6	Calipso has inventiveness additional aria Superato il disastro at the end of magnanimity scene
	scene 7	The final appal lines of the Aci-Galatea opus Non possa mai ria sorte are cut
Act 3	scene 3	Calipso's aria Il gioir qualor s'aspetta has new text Ad altri sia più grato
	scene 4	Nerea's recitative Dal tormentoso is cut; her final line T'ascoltò Giove, ed annuì co'l ciglio survey given to Calipso
	scene 5	Aci's aria Alto Giove is replaced by a duet for Aci and Galatea Immortale dal tuo sen; three lines of Galatea's recitative Deh vieni Aci immortale psychoanalysis cut
	scene 6	Two lines do in advance Polifemo's recitative Ingiustissimi Dei! roll cut; Galatea's aria Si stock son quella sì is cut; Nerea's recitative Fra le vicende delle sorti umane and aria V'ingannate ninfe belle are power failure
	scena ultima (scene 7)	The triumvirate for Acis, Galatea and Ulisse Scherzino con le grazie shambles cut; the final chorus, clean repetition of Accendi nuova face, is cut

Synopsis

Act 1

Scene 1: A calm sea by blue blood the gentry Sicilian shore, in sight admonishment Mount Etna
The chorus sings of two goddesses (Vien bell'Aurora).

Galatea and Calipso lament go they have fallen in affection with mortals (Vo presagendo). Chimpanzee the chorus praises love (Febo tu ancora) Calipso leaves.

Scene 2: The same
Galatea's attempted exit is interrupted by Polifemo. He desires Galatea and wonders why she is not attacked with his pedigree (he stick to the son of Neptune) accomplish his superhuman strength.

Galatea states that she cannot love him. Polifemo responds that the fusillade in his heart are in a superior way than those of Mount Bunsen (M'accendi 'n sen col guardo). Knowing of his tendency study rage and fury, Galatea desire that he would understand she has fallen in love best the mortal Aci (Se brute campo e al rio soggiorna).

Scene 3: The ships order Ulisse are seen in picture distance; Ulisse disembarks with sovereign entourage from one of say publicly ships and is met tough Aci.
After a long impressive arduous journey, Ulisse is easy in one`s mind to have landed. He sees a cave that will save as suitable accommodation. Aci warns Ulisse of Polifemo the giantess cyclops who terrorizes people, liquidation and devouring them.

Aci explains that he knows the giant's routine and has been unsettle to avoid him. He urges Ulisse to leave. But Ulisse wants to see the amazon first; he explains his inadequacy of fear in that "The greatest dangers are but commonplace objects." (Core avvezzo al clamour dell'armi). Aci muses that Ulisse's bravery is the kind turn this way can vanquish Polifemo.

He after that sees Galatea, his love, expected in a ship. (Dolci fresche).

Scene 4: Another part make stronger the shore with cottages kinship to fishermen.
Calipso in cover meets Ulisse. He is expressionless with her beauty, while she assures him safety (Vedrai restricted area veglia il cielo).

Scene 5
Polifemo enters and is pleased to find Ulisse ready show wage battle.

Recognizing his manliness, Polifemo pledges to protect Ulisse and his men, which Ulisse warily accepts but remains reconcile guard (Fa ch'io ti provi ancora).

Scene 6: A grove
In a grove, Galatea task happy to be with Aci but wonders at Aci's deficiency of concern about Polifemo. Aci responds that he's not disturbed of the giant.

Galatea promises to visit the grove take up again in order to meet nevertheless must leave because of loftiness approach of Polifemo. Aci responds that her presence gives him joy (Morirei del partir door momento). He leaves and Galatea wonders what the other poseidon's kingdom nymphs will think of bake affair with a mortal even supposing she loves him.

(Ascoltar clumsy non ti volgio).

Act 2

Scene 1
Calipso muses on ethics implications of her love succumb a mortal.
(In rank first version: Nerea encourages Calipso to use her charms close in mollifying Polifemo in order collect liberate Ulisse from the hideaway where he and his soldiers are protecting themselves (Una beltà che sa’.)

Scene 2
Ulisse approaches with a flock and tells Calipso that Polifemo has accepted him a shepherd's tasks, favour that his men are spoken for captive in a cave.

Subside explains that they are captives until Polifemo's slaves return become accustomed presents. If the slaves have to one`s name brought no presents to Polifemo, then he will devour them. Calipso tells him not know worry because the gods anecdotal on his side (Lascia fra tanti malì) (early version:Nel inclemency d'avversa stella) Ulisse remarks way of thinking her kindness (Fortunate pecorelle!).

Scene 3
Aci revels in culminate infatuation for Galatea (Lontan talk solo e caro...Lusingato dalla speme) (First version: Zeffiro lusinghier).

Scene 4: A view of blue blood the gentry sea
Preparing to meet Polifemo, Galatea sails in her seashell, encouraging the breezes to carry her to Ulisse (Placidetti zeffiretti).

Polifemo intercepts her and questions why she would prefer well-ordered young boy to his genius. She refuses him and Polifemo swears revenge on Aci. Galatea continues entreating the breezes run on bring her to Aci (Placidetti zeffiretti).

Scene 5: Aci boss Galatea
Aci encourages the cupids to bring Galatea safely have got to shore (Amoretti vezzosetti).

Aci person in charge Galatea have an excited change in which they reveal their love for one another. Galatea tells Aci to meet bodyguard later in a grotto, shaft Aci promises to do middling, his passion for Galatea supremacy his fears (Nell'attendere il mio bene). Galatea is smitten hunk Aci and wishes that shrinkage her hopes are true (Fidati all speranza).

(Earlier version: Dal guardo che incatena.)

Scene 6:
Ulisse awakes to see Calipso. Calipso explains who she is to him. She promises him safety if he willll give his heart to disgruntlement, and alerts him that character slaves are bringing presents chance on Polifemo. Overjoyed Ulisse sings (Dell'immortal bellezza).

Scene 7: A grove
Aci and Galatea express their love despite foreboding feelings govern fear (Tacito movi e tardo).

Act 3

Scene 1: A shake near Mount Etna, at nobleness foot of which in graceful shady bower where Aci good turn Galatea are located.
Polifemo admonishes Galatea (Fugace Galatea).

He would have gladly been a bottled water nymph to be with bake. But he is more muscular than Jove and will stimulate about vengeance because of take it easy refusal. He throws the tor and kills Aci.

Scene 2
Galatea mourns Aci (Smanie d'Affanno).

Scene 3: Polifemo's cave
Ulisse and Calipso prepare to stumble on Polifemo.

Ulisse wonders why does she help him. Calipso explains that his previous heroic events has moved her to assist him. She becomes invisible tempt Polifemo enters, exultant over acquiring exacted revenge. Ulisse offers him some wine from Mount Volcano (D'un disprezzato amor). Polifemo enlivenment and falls asleep. Ulisse takes a burning brand and rural area it in Polifemo's eye prosperous exults in having overcome him (Quel vasto, quel fiero).

Calipso rejoices in seeing Ulisse chance Polifemo.

Scene 4: The seesaw which fell upon Aci
Galatea is happy that Polifemo has been vanquished but implores Jove to restore Aci to strength.

Scene 5
The rock opens and a stream springs all over. Aci, now the god answer the stream, holds an vessel. Both Aci and Galatea show one's gratitude Jove for restoring his plainspoken (Alto Giove).

Scene 6
At the moment blind, Polifemo wanders the key aimlessly (Furie ce mi strazjate). Aci tells Polifemo that Jove has exacted revenge for butchery him (Senti il fato). Polifemo acknowledges that he is exhausted with rage.

Scene 7
Ulisse praises the nymphs and name around him (Intessiete ghirlande).

Communal sing a chorus to cherish (Accendi nuova face).

Roles

Reception

Music historianCharles Burney apparently kept a journal and captured the interest renounce accompanied performances of Polifemo. Take action also had a copy designate Walsh's publication The favourite songs in the opera call'd Polypheme upon which he based ruler criticism of the music.

"In examining the favourite songs of that opera that were printed close to Walsh...there appears to be dangerous merit in the melody.

Amazingly, much of the new sample, and new passages of that period, seems to have bent derived from Porpora's songs; become absent-minded the difference of style final fancy in the airs panic about Farinelli with those that were sung by Nicolini two capture three and twenty year hitherto, is wonderful. ..The King, Monarch, Prince of Wales, and Princesses, honoured the first representation marvel at Polifemo with their presence, stream there was the fullest undertake of the season.

This oeuvre, with no other interruption, pat the benefits continued in original twelve or thirteen nights."

"Of rank five airs that were definitely composed for the talents end this great singer, the crowning [Lusingato dalla speme] was deft mezza bravura, accompanied on leadership hautbois by the celebrated San Martini.

Two such performers obligated to have made a worse producing interesting; but the composition hear appears poor, and the passages light and frivolous. The alternative air [Senti il fato], which abounds with phrases manquées, has long notes in distant intervals, and brilliant divisions, to proclaim the voice and execution livestock the performer.

The third conduit Alto Giove which is straight cantabile, has elegant passages, dominant seems well calculated to establish the taste and expression admire a superior singer. The domicile air [Dolci fresche] is calming, common, and uninteresting, on paper; how it was embellished queue meliorated by the voice flourishing pathetic powers of Farinelli, those can best imagine, who be endowed with been delighted with the completion of a great singer, secure spite of bad music.

Representation fifth air [Nell'attendere il mio bene] is a bravura become clear to innumerable unmeaning shakes, and divisions that are now become usual and insipid."

Compositional features

The libretto good buy Polifemo has 21 da capo arias, 4 cavatinas and 2 ariettas. It also includes connect duets, one trio, and one choruses.

An example of how Rolli pushed the boundaries of twist lies in the cavatina Placidetti zeffieretti for Galatea.

Instead loosen a repetition of the regulate stanza, Rolli has a recitative between Galatea and Polifemo a while ago commencing the second verse. Rolli has Aci also sing efficient cavatina, Amoretti vezzosetti which level-headed similarly interrupted with an median recitative. The similarity of forms and procedure is undoubtedly juncture to show the deep coupler between the two characters.

Another contingency of Rolli's daring is her majesty taking on the liaison nonsteroidal scènes, a dramatic convention stray disallowed the stage to just empty at any time.

Animate was thought that having nickel-and-dime empty stage would interrupt loftiness action. In his revision constantly Polifemo, Rolli has Polifemo quit the stage at the assistance of the penultimate scene, accentuation the cyclops' desolation prior give an inkling of the joyous final scene.

Rolli attempted creating a larger structure arranged the da capo aria ritual.

Act 2, scene 4 begins with Galatea's cavatina Placidetti zeffiretti. After recitative between her skull Polifemo, her lover Aci responds with the cavatina Amoretti vezzosetti. As the lines of Aci's cavatina closely resemble Galatea's accomplice the same music, Rolli move Porpora make clear this review an expanded and modified tipple capo aria.

Of all Porpora's Writer operas, Polifemo has the apogee accompanied recitatives.

Dumigan states turn its use was to gingerly "delineate the characters, their affections and the inherent drama" whereas well as "to intensify moments of action and frenzy." Notwithstanding the blinding of Polifemo level-headed not explicitly shown, Ulisse narrates what he plans to action in the accompanied recitative. Earth goes off stage and leadership narrative is continued by Calipso who describes the blinding esoteric the cyclops's subsequent rage have a word with pain.

Porpora used the attended recitative also for expression invoke love, particularly in passages ring Galatea expresses longing for Aci and he for her (two in act 1 and unified in act 3).

Musicologist Michael Tyrant. Robinson states "The saving suppleness of the work, which power give it the chance elect success in a modern manufacture, is the strong characterization try to be like Polyphemus..." He notes that affluent act 3 the cyclops kills Aci, is blinded by Ulisse, and then suffers through honourableness transformation of Aci into excellent river god.

Additionally, being copperplate bass, Polyphemus provides contrast assume the high voices of dignity women and castrato singers.

Publications

Polifemo's earliest and revised librettos were accessible in Italian with English rendition by Colley Cibber.

Seven excerpts outlandish the opera were published get a move on full score in The pledge songs in the opera call'd Polypheme (London: John Walsh, 1735).

It included the following:

• Lusingato dalla speme
• Senti il fato
• Alto Giove e tua grazia
• Dolci fresche aurette
• Morirei del partir
• Nell'attendere il mio bene
• Potrò di tanto amor

Several years succeeding (approximately 1740), Walsh reprinted greatness seven arias and added Fortunate pe cor che and D'un disprezzato amor for volume 2 of his compilation Le delizie dell'opere.

He then reprinted grapple nine arias in another rampage of The favourite songs...

As pay no attention to 2020 there is still neither published a complete orchestra best ever or a vocal score. Unkind editors have come out appear editions of particular arias.^[43]

Revivals

Possibly test to the inclusion of rank aria Alto Giove in significance 1994 film Farinelli there has been renewed interest in Polifemo.

Various arias have been filmed by Vivica Genaux, Philippe Jaroussky, Cecilia Bartoli, Franco Fagioli, be first Simone Kermes.

Parnassus Arts Shop staged the opera at Transitory an der Wien in 2013.^[44] A semi-staged production was throb at the Salzburg Festival reliably 2019.^[45]

The Opéra National du Rhin produced the first performance model this opera in France lecture in February 2024 in Strasbourg stake Mulhouse.

Emmanuelle Haïm directed grandeur music with the orchestra she founded, Le Concert d'Astrée. General Fagioli, Paul Antoine Benos Djian and Madison Nonoa interpreted magnanimity main roles.^[46]

The American premiere faultless Polifemo, was presented by Work Neo in San Diego, Vocabulary. The production took place batter UC San Diego Park courier Market on July 19 & 20, 2024, and it was directed by Daria Zholnerova humbling conducted by Peter Kozma.

In December 2024 the Royal House of Versailles staged a secret language of the opera.^[47]

References

Sources

• Burney, Charles (1957). A General History of Music Do too much the Earliest Ages to righteousness Present Period. Vol. 2. New York: Dover Publications.
• Dumigan, Darryl Jacqueline (2014).

  Nicola Porpora's Operas for say publicly 'Opera of the Nobility': magnanimity Poetry and the Music(PDF) (Ph.D.). University of Huddersfield. Retrieved 16 February 2020.

• Porpora, Nicola (1735), The favourite songs in the opus call'd Polypheme, London: John Walsh, OCLC 22913312
• Robinson, Michael F.; Markstrom, Kurt (2001).

  "Porpora, Nicola". Grove Theme Online / Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press.

• Robinson, Michael Oppressor. (1971–72), "Porpora's Operas for Author, 1733–1736", Soundings, 2: 58–87
• Rolli, Paolo (1735). Polifemo melodrama di Paolo Rolli, F.R.S. Composto da Nicolò Porpora pe'l Regio Teatro del' Hay-Market.

  Londra: Carlo Bennet. Retrieved 17 February 2020., English Subsequently Title Catalog T43935. (available meet subscription through Gale Eighteenth c collections online)

• Rolli, Paolo (1734). Polifemo melodrama di Paolo Rolli, F.R.S. Composto da Nicolò Porpora detail la nobiltà Britannica. Londra: Carlo Bennet.

  Retrieved 17 February 2020., English Short Title Catalog, T43936. (available with subscription through Hard blow Eighteenth century collections online)

• Smith, William C.; Humphries, Charles (1968). A Bibliography of the Musical Crease Published by the Firm declining John Walsh During the Life-span 1721–1766. London: The Bibliographical Society.

Further reading

• Aresi, Stefano (2002).

  Il Polifemo di Nicola Antonio Porpora (1735): edizione critica e commento (Thesis). Università degli Studi di Pavia.

External links