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{{Short description|aria written for Farinelli by Nicola | {{Short description|aria written for Farinelli by Nicola Porpora}} | ||
<!-- For references and quotations, see Template:Cite_web --> | <!-- For references and quotations, see Template:Cite_web --> | ||
{{Infobox | {{Infobox opera | ||
| name | | name = Polifemo | ||
| | | italic title = <!-- yes / no; defaults to yes --> | ||
| genre = opera seria | |||
| composer | | composer = [[Nicola Porpora]] | ||
| image | | image = Polifemo - title page of revised libretto.jpg | ||
| | | image_upright = | ||
| alt | | alt = | ||
| | | caption = English title page of the revised version of Nicola Porpora's opera ''Polifemo'' | ||
| description = | |||
| native_name = | |||
| native_name | | native_name_lang = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead --> | ||
| native_name_lang | | translated_name = Polyphemus | ||
| other_name = | |||
| librettist = [[Paolo Rolli]] | |||
| language = Italian | |||
| based_on = Metamorphoses by Ovid | |||
| premiere_date = {{Start date|1735|02|01}} | |||
| | |||
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| | |||
| language | |||
| based_on | |||
| | |||
| premiere_location = King's Theatre | | premiere_location = King's Theatre | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''"{{lang|it|Alto Giove}}"''', sung by the character Acis (Italian: {{lang|it|Aci}}) in [[Nicola | '''"{{lang|it|Alto Giove}}"''', sung by the character Acis (Italian: {{lang|it|Aci}}) in [[Nicola Porpora]]'s "''[[Polifemo]]''", has been brought to great popularity by the motion picture ''Farinelli''<ref name="IMDB"/>, where the protagonist prominently sings it. The poignant thanks to his creator for the gift of immortality that comes at the ultimate price summarized the theme of the movie perfectly and also resonated with the audiences.<p> | ||
"{{lang|it|Alto Giove}}" is a showpiece of Porpora's artistry as much as it is his pupil's, [[Farinelli]]. The beautiful lyrical composition shows Porpora's deep musicality – and his trust in Farinelli's ability to captivate the audience in the absence of vocal stunts.<ref name="IMSLP"/><p> | "{{lang|it|Alto Giove}}" is a showpiece of Porpora's artistry as much as it is of his pupil's, [[Farinelli]]. The beautiful lyrical composition shows Porpora's deep musicality – and his trust in Farinelli's ability to captivate the audience in the absence of vocal stunts.<ref name="IMSLP"/><p> | ||
"{{lang|it|Alto Giove}}" | "{{lang|it|Alto Giove}}" appears on the following album: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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| country =United Kingdom | | country =United Kingdom | ||
| language-note = | | language-note = | ||
| libretto-text =<poem> | | libretto-text =<poem>Mighty Jove, | ||
by your grace and your merit, | by your grace and your merit, | ||
your sovereign gesture bestows upon me | your sovereign gesture bestows upon me | ||
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| country =Germany | | country =Germany | ||
| language-note = | | language-note = | ||
| libretto-text =<poem>Großer Jupiter, | | libretto-text =<poem>{{lang|de|Großer Jupiter, | ||
durch deine Gnade und deinen Verdienst | durch deine Gnade und deinen Verdienst | ||
verleiht mir deine hoheitliche Geste | verleiht mir deine hoheitliche Geste | ||
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Um die ich schon so viel geseufzt habe, | Um die ich schon so viel geseufzt habe, | ||
liebevolle und schöne Göttin, | liebevolle und schöne Göttin, | ||
ist ein Geschenk so unvergleichlich wie deine Schönheit.<ref name="FR"/> | ist ein Geschenk so unvergleichlich wie deine Schönheit.}}<ref name="FR"/> | ||
</poem>}} | </poem>}} | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
{{Clear|left}} | {{Clear|left}} | ||
The Aria opens Act III, Scene 5. The | ==Context== | ||
The Aria opens Act III, Scene 5. The stage direction reads: {{lang|it|"S'apre la rupe: vedesi la sorgente d'un fiume. Aci, nume del medesimo, appoggiato sull'urna e detti."}} ("The cliff opens: we see the source of a river. Aci, deity of the same, leaning on the urn, and the former.")<ref name="Libretti"/> | |||
Translator's Commentary: It | |||
==Background== | |||
Translator's Commentary: It seems likely that the character Acis (Italian: {{lang|it|Aci}}) does not address the same person in part A as he does in part B, for several reasons.<p> | |||
For one, the libretto itself suggests it; to praise to Jove's beauty seems an unlikely thing to do. Second: The libretto exists in two versions, likely mirroring two sets of performances. One does have "Alto Giove" as well as "Nell'attendere"<ref name="Libretti"/>, the other does not. As it seems unlikely that Porpora would cut two hit-pieces from the opera and replace "Alto Giove" with a duet, the theory that the shorter libretto is the later one is disputable.<ref name="Wiki"/>.<p> | For one, the libretto itself suggests it; to praise to Jove's beauty seems an unlikely thing to do. Second: The libretto exists in two versions, likely mirroring two sets of performances. One does have "Alto Giove" as well as "Nell'attendere"<ref name="Libretti"/>, the other does not. As it seems unlikely that Porpora would cut two hit-pieces from the opera and replace "Alto Giove" with a duet, the theory that the shorter libretto is the later one is disputable.<ref name="Wiki"/>.<p> | ||
However, even the libretto where an "Alto Giove" exists does not list the B-Part. In the collection of music printed for the devoted audience later, the B-Part seems originally to be missing; it is literally glued on. | However, even the libretto where an "Alto Giove" exists does not list the B-Part. In the collection of music titled ''The Favourite Songs in the Opera call'd Polypheme by Sigr. Porpora'' printed for the devoted audience later, the B-Part seems originally to be missing; it is literally glued on. | ||
[[File:Part b alto giove.jpg|thumb|alt=B-Part of "Alto Giove"|B-Part of "Alto Giove"<ref name="IMSLP"/>]] | [[File:Part b alto giove.jpg|thumb|alt=B-Part of "Alto Giove"|B-Part of "Alto Giove"<ref name="IMSLP"/>]] | ||
<p> | <p> | ||
Musically, the B-part with its triple-meter does not very fit very well with the A-part and is slightly higher in tessitura which also suggests it was added as an afterthought with the sole purpose to serve as an excuse for the {{lang|it|da capo}}. | Musically, the B-part with its triple-meter does not very fit very well with the A-part and is slightly higher in tessitura which also suggests it was added as an afterthought with the sole purpose to serve as an excuse for the {{lang|it|da capo}}. | ||
<p> | <p> | ||
{{lang|it|"Diva amorosa e bella"}} might be a fond address. As | Conclusion: {{lang|it|"Diva amorosa e bella"}} might be a fond address. As Acis pleads that Galatea may be restored to him (which excludes her), this leaves one other character, Nerea, who is only existent in the version of the libretto which contains "Alto Giove" – (or a different goddess altogether who might have appeared beside Jove).<ref name="Libretti"/> What supports the theory of it being Nerea is that the latter appears in the preceding scene, and that, responding to Galatea's plea to Jove to restore Acis to her, she ushers in the new scene (and Acis's aria) with {{lang|it|"T'ascoltò Giove, ed annuì co 'l ciglio."}} ("Jove heard you and nodded.") (FR, 2021) | ||
==Manuscripts and sheet music== | ==Manuscripts and sheet music== | ||
*A selection of Arias from Polifemo<br> | |||
*A selection of Arias from | :Royal College of Music (Public Domain)<br> | ||
Royal College of Music (Public Domain)<br> | :Misc. Notes RCM Library item D1424/4<br> | ||
Misc. Notes RCM Library item D1424/4<br> | :OCLC 22913312<br> | ||
OCLC 22913312<br> | :{{cite book | ||
{{cite book | |||
|last= | |last= | ||
|first= | |first= | ||
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|page= <!-- or pages= --> | |page= <!-- or pages= --> | ||
|isbn= | |isbn= | ||
}} | }}<ref name="IMSLP"/> | ||
*Libretto at {{URL|http://www.librettidopera.it/index.html|Libretti d'Opera Italiani}} | *Libretto at {{URL|http://www.librettidopera.it/index.html|Libretti d'Opera Italiani}}<ref name="Libretti"/> | ||
{{cite web | :{{cite web | ||
|url=http://www.librettidopera.it/zpdf/polifemo1735_bn.pdf | |url=http://www.librettidopera.it/zpdf/polifemo1735_bn.pdf | ||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001183105/http://www.librettidopera.it/zpdf/polifemo1735_bn.pdf | |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001183105/http://www.librettidopera.it/zpdf/polifemo1735_bn.pdf | ||
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|access-date={{date|2021-10-1|MDY}} | |access-date={{date|2021-10-1|MDY}} | ||
|quote=}} | |quote=}} | ||
*Score | |||
:Porpora, Nicola (1686-1768), Polifemo | |||
:Title on source: Polifemo, Poesia del Sigr. Paolo Rolli, Musica Del Sigr. Nicolò Porpora. Londra 1735. | |||
:Material: score (3 vol.): 80, 69, 78f. | |||
:Manuscript copy: 1735 (1735); 22,5 x 28,5 cm | |||
:Library (siglum) shelfmark: London, The British Library (GB-Lbl) R.M.23.a.7-9. | |||
:RISM ID no.: 800190005<ref name="OPAC"/> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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|publisher= | |publisher= | ||
|archive-date={{date|2021-10-2|MDY}} | |archive-date={{date|2021-10-2|MDY}} | ||
|access-date={{date|2021-10-2|MDY}} | |||
|quote=}} | |||
</ref> | |||
<ref name="OPAC"> | |||
{{cite web | |||
|url=https://opac.rism.info/ | |||
|archive-url= | |||
|title=RISM-OPAC | |||
|last= | |||
|first= | |||
|date= | |||
|website= | |||
|publisher= | |||
|archive-date= | |||
|access-date={{date|2021-10-2|MDY}} | |access-date={{date|2021-10-2|MDY}} | ||
|quote=}} | |quote=}} |