Franz Joseph Haydn - La fedelta premiatà (1780) - Duet for Celia & Fileno - "Ah, se tu vuoi ch'io viva" (Lucia Valentini-Terrani & Tonny Landy)

I am slowly beginning to introduce myself to Haydn's works which prove to be, quite often, refreshingly delightful but not as well represented on YouTube as they could be, so I've decided to post several of my personal selections from his various works, though, as I am still listening to most of them, the uploads will be posted in a slightly chaotic fashion, thus, we start with the next to last piece from "La fedelta premiata", one of Haydn's last operas.

"La fedelta premiata" (or "Fidelity rewarded") is a dramma giocoso in three acts, written to commemorate the opening of the new Eszterházy opera house which was not completed in 1780, as it was planned, thus the opening of both the building, along with it Haydn's new work, was put off until February 25 of the following year. "La fedelta", though, was to become one of Haydn's most successful comedies, and it stayed in the repertory in Eszterháza until 1785.

The libretto, by Giambattista Lorenzi, was already set by Cimarosa in 1779 (and Haydn probably made reference to its' score in several sections of his version), and, to make his new version, Lorenzi rethought (and in two cases combined) some of the characters, and gave the piece, which had originally been full of regional dialect and coarse humor, a more refined mood. The final product is an effective combination of comic and serious elements, and it drew from Haydn some of his best operatic writing. The story concerns itself with the goddess Diana's decree that every two years a couple of faithful lovers be sacrificed to a sea monster until some hero offers his own life. The villain in the piece is Melibeo (bass), a high priest who's in love with Amaranta (mezzo-soprano) who in turn seems taken with the berserk, delusional Count Perrucchetto (baritone) who is mad about her. Fileno (tenor) is in love with Celia (mezzo-soprano) and vice-versa, but Melibeo is trying to kill Fileno in hopes of obtaining Amaranta by getting her brother, Lindoro (tenor) (varies between loving the nymph Nerina (soprano) and Celia), to wed Celia, thus the latter spurns Fileno in hopes of saving his life which leads to a lot of complications, including numerous suicide attempts by Fileno himself. Fileno eventually offers himself as sacrifice when he realizes that Celia and Perrucchetto have been marked for death by Melibeo, but Diana appears and all ends happily.

This duet which directly precedes the finale of the opera finds the sentimental heroes of the opera, Celia and Fileno, still unable to express their love for each other: she - afraid of risking his life; he - angry at her presumed infidelity. Their confusion is brilliantly presented in this duettino in two contrasting sections, starting with a gentle andante gently outlined by the use of the strings and allowing each of the lovers a separate entrance in ideally contrasted yearning ariosos. Their voices are then combined in a delightful musically and heartbreaking dramatically duettino which is resolved in an allegro of equal musical invention, involving the lovers exchanging and singing together short coloratura phrases. Strangely enough, the final section is similar in treatment to a shortened cabaletta which immediately gives one an opportunity to feel a transition underway between the stately classicism and the passionate belcanto.

Lucia Valentini-Terrani and Tonny Landy prove to be a most well-matched pair of lovers. Hope you'll enjoy :).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Haydn
• coloratura
• classical
• duet
• opera

[Abigail13406]

Thanks. Also for the concise text.

[FRAGIORGIO1]

Thank you, LindoroRossini, for giving us this opportunity. I am a great fan of the great Franz Josef Haydn, so I especially appreciate your interest and generosity.

[lplover441]

C'est une musique magnifique, digne de d Franx Josef Haydn, qui ne nous déçoit jamais...

[megmerilees]

May I thank you LindoroRossini,I am fascinated by Haydn on a google search for Lo speziale I found your recordings and videos.I have visisted fertod aEszterhaza many times.The lady guide at the palace was very amusing and took time tio go for aglass of wine and a talk.She thiught I was interested in the owmne in Haydn's life. It was the music thatb brought me there.But I have found out many interesting things form this Hungarian guide,

[infoPedroAmaral]

Excellent! - Many thanks!!