Don Profondo's Recitative and Aria, from 'Il Viaggio a Reims' - Rossini

22-year-old Baritone Matt Moeller
Senior Applied Voice Recital at LSU (2010)

Michael Borowitz, Accompanist

Il Viaggio a Reims is one of Rossini's more obscure operas. It has been performed very few times due to its demanding score and personnel, requiring 14 solo singers (three sopranos, one contralto, two tenors, four baritones, and four basses). The story revolves around a group of European aristocrats planning to attend Charles X's coronation in Reims. While awaiting their departure at the Giglio d'oro, Don Profondo, a fanatical antiquarian, re-enters in order to make a rather long-winded list of all the travelers' possessions. He eventually rejoices at the prospect of the pending departure to Reims.

DON PROFONDO

Bravo, Mr. Ganimede!
If the Countess finds out she
will scratch out his eyes.
But let me not lose time,

Here I must carry out the Baron's
commission.
Let me quickly make a list of the effects so that everything be in order and view.

Myself! Don Profondo!
Medals incomparable, cameos rare,
Priceless created in obscure,
Sublime antiquity.
In golden parchment of the academies the titles, of which I am a noble member of high quality.
The great treatise unpublished over the infallible method to always know how to distinguish at first sight very well, the ancient from the modern, from outside and from the inside, in males, in females, and every other object as well.

The Spaniard!
Great tables genealogical of grandparents and great grandparents with information historical of that which each one was. Diplomas, escutcheons and crosses, ribbons, necklaces and orders and thick as walnuts. Six pearls from Peru!

The Polish Lady!
The most exquisite works by authors excellent that are the pride and glory of the modern age.
Colored drawings of the handsome profiles of Harold, Malcolm and Epsiboe by the lofty 'Pic the Terrible'!

French Lady!
Boxes and little boxes with jewel caskets and little caskets that the lovely treasures conceal, sacred to the Goddess of Love.
"Caution! It's fragile stuff!"
Here enclosed I can guess, is the new bonnet, with feathers, lace and flowers.

The German!
Classical dissertations on the new harmonic effects, whose wonders will arouse astonishment. The rare forms of musical invention by early German musical consorts of horns and of trombones models unknown as yet.

The Englishman!
Trips around the globe, treatises of marine, Originating in China, subtle colored tea, Opium and air pistols, promissory notes for much gold, the bill in Parliament that was made to be read 3 times.

The Frenchman!
Several by the Frenchman Horace, exquisite lithographs, brushs and crayons, seashells with paints. "They're scared things!" Ah! I understand... Portraits and billets-doux, with many little souvenirs of his happy loves.

The Russian!
Typographical reports from all of Siberia, with geographical maps of the Ottoman Empire of Sables and martens precious collections with feathers of capons for the helmets and the crests.

Everything is in order, there's no more to say, no longer must we delay our depart. By now the envoy certainly was returned; Swift and speedy steeds quivering, I already seem to hear the pawing of the ground. Whips and horns resound through the air, the beasts are straining to gallop off.

Now the great moment is close, There can't be a more fair destiny! The heart is leaping from joy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gioachino Rossini
• Rossini
• Matt Moeller
• Michael Borowitz
• Il Viaggio a Reims
• Baritone
• LSU

[MisterPapageno]

The voice is very nice: I admit I don't understand sometimes what you say, but by the way I advise you not to loose the focus of the voice when you do imitation cause it's very easy to be lost. another advice: it's a concert, don't move too much!

Best whishes for all and hope to seey you soon on Europe stages!