Gioachino Rossini - La morte di Didone (1810-1811) - "Misera, sventurata!" - No. 1. Sinfonia, Chorus, Recitative & Cavatina (Mariella Devia)

As a point of interest, I'm uploading two complete early Rossini cantatas for a soloist and chorus, as well as two excepts from a more mature work, again in the form of cantata.

Rossini wrote the cantata, La morte di Didone (1811), as it seems, to honor the Mombelli family (specifically, the soprano, Ester) who were very helpful to him in this early period of his life (his first opera, "Demetrio e Polibio", was written for them). Though Rossini's best dramatic works would come later, in a good four-five years, the piece is an ample beginning, featuring some great choral writing and truly grandiose solo writing.

"La morte" is similar to "Il pianto" in several respects, particularly because it uses the same succession of sinfonia - chorus - recitative - aria - recitative - aria, albeit a more elaborate one. The Sinfonia is in many ways identical to "Il pianto", though it uses different material in some places (as, for example, the section that follows the copied central allegretto) to emphasize the solemnity of the situation. The opening chorus starts brilliantly with crashing chords but soon settles for a more appropriate, plaintive tone, as the chorus bemoans the Queen's tragedy. The Queen, lamenting the loss of her unfaithful lover, enters in an intense recitative highlighted by a truly realistic narrative, though she soon tries in vain to remind herself of her duty to her nation. The cavatina where Dido asks the gods to give her some kind of comfort is graced by a lovely cello introduction and a rather unnecessary or subtle cabaletta. The second chorus then enters, in a strikingly life-affirming (in spite of the situation), announcing that the residence of the Queen is burning and her guards defeated. Dido's answer is a tortured appraisal of the fact that she is alone, "without friends or a lover". Her final aria, in comparison with the cavatina, is a superb final word, reminding one immediately of a similar piece for Armida: hesitant, broken apart, stormy. But Rossini does not let the cantata to end with the aria, though such an ending would seem logical, instead the chorus pleas with Dido to save Cartage by giving herself to the enemy but the Queen resolves to end her life nobly and commits suicide by throwing herself into the pire.

Mariella Devia, perhaps a bit past her prime, provides some introspective singing as Dido. Hope you'll enjoy :)!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rossini
• belcanto
• coloratura
• classical