Polifemo
| Polifemo | |
|---|---|
| opera seria by Nicola Porpora | |
 English title page of the revised version of Nicola Porpora's opera Polifemo | |
| Translation | Polyphemus |
| Librettist | Paolo Rolli |
| Language | Italian |
| Based on | Metamorphoses by Ovid |
| Premiere | February 1, 1735 King's Theatre |
Polifemo (ancient English: Polypheme; modern English: Polyphemus) is an opera in three acts by Nicola Porpora with a libretto by Paolo Rolli. In recent years, the opera has gained new popularity, also due to the aria "Alto Giove", featured in a pivotal scene of the motion picture Farinelli.[1] Polifemo was Farinelli's London debut.[2]
Synopsis
The opera combines two mythological stories involving the cyclops Polyphemus: His killing of Acis and his blinding by Ulysses.
Performance History
The last of five operas Porpora composed in London, Polifemo premiered on 1 February 1735 at King's Theatre, and featured the stars Farinelli and Senesino as well as Francesca Cuzzoni.[3]
Original cast
| Role | Voice type] | Premiere cast, 1 February 1735 |
|---|---|---|
| Polifemo, a giant man-eating cyclops | bass | Antonio Montagnana |
| Aci, mortal, in love with Galatea | mezzo soprano castrato | Farinelli |
| Galatea, a nymph, in love with Aci | soprano | Francesca Cuzzoni |
| Ulisse, on a long journey returning home | alto castrato | Senesino |
| Calipso | contralto | Francesca Bertolli |
| Nerea | soprano | Signora Segatti |
Répertoire International des Sources Musicales – RISM-OPAC
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[4]
Manuscripts and sheet music
- A selection of Arias from Polifemo
- Royal College of Music (Public Domain)
- Misc. Notes RCM Library item D1424/4
- OCLC 22913312
- The Favourite Songs in the Opera call'd Polypheme by Sigr. Porpora. London: John Walsh, c.1735.[5]
- Libretto at Libretti d'Opera Italiani[6]
- "Polifemo" (PDF). Libretti d'Opera Italiani. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- 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[4]
Polifemo in Philippe Jaroussky's discography, filmography and performance history
Solo/Recital Albums
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Alto Giove | Farinelli – Porpora Arias |
Videos
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
Concert programs
| Year | Concert Program |
|---|---|
Complete list of musical numbers from Polifemo
This listing only contains musical pieces performed and/or recorded by Philippe Jaroussky.
| Year published or performed | Title | Album, Video or Concert Program | Year first performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Alto Giove | Farinelli – Porpora Arias | 1735 |
References
- ↑ "International Movie Database". Farinelli. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ↑ "PORPORA, Nicola Antonio Giacinto". Treccani. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ↑ "Polifemo (Opera)". Wikipedia. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "RISM-OPAC". Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ↑ The Favourite Songs in the Opera call'd Polypheme by Sigr. Porpora. London: John Walsh, c.1735.
- ↑ "Polifemo" (PDF). Libretti d'Opera Italiani. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.