Farnace (Mysliveček)
Farnace is an 18th-century Italian
Performance history
The opera was first performed at the
Roles
Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 4 November 1767, Teatro San Carlo, Naples |
---|---|---|
Farnace, King of Pontus | soprano castrato | Carlo Reina |
Tamiri, Queen of Pontus, wife of Farnace | soprano | Antonia Maria Girelli Aguilar |
Selinda, Sister of Farnace | soprano | Clemenza Bardetti |
Atridate, Prefect of the Roman legions | tenor | Ercole Ciprandi |
Pompeo, Roman pro-consul in Asia | soprano castrato | Giuseppe Compagnucci |
Gilade, Prince of the blood and Captain of the armies of Atridate | soprano castrato | Girolamo Speciali |
Synopsis
18th-century Italian operas in the serious style are almost always set in a distant or legendary past and are built around historical, pseudo-historical, or mythological characters.
- Time: 1st Century, BC
- Place: Asia Minor
The main character of Lucchini's Farnace is based on the life of King Pharnaces II of Pontus, whose conflicts with the Roman Republic eventually led to his death. Farnace has been defeated in battle by Pompeo. In order to avoid seeing his entire family falling into the hands of the enemy, Farnace commands his wife Tamiri to kill their son and then herself, although this never happens. Selinda, Farnace's sister, is taken captive by the Roman Atridate, who falls in love with her, as does the army captain Gilades. Selinda plays them off one another in an attempt to save her brother. Her efforts succeed and everyone is spared.
Vocal set pieces
Act 1
Scene 2 – Aria of Pompeo, "Accendi il tuo furore"
Scene 3 – Aria of Atridate, "Non rammentarmi al core"
Scene 4 – Aria of Farnace, "Ti parli in seno amore"
Scene 5 – Aria of Tamiri, "Figlio, sposo, ah già nel petto"
Scene 9 – Aria of Selinda, "Dai rai d'un bel sembiante"
Scene 14 – Aria of Farnace, "Se parto, ben mio"
Scene 15 – Accompanied recitative for Tamiri, "Sarete paghi, o Dei!"
Scene 15 – Aria of Tamiri, "Non sdegnarti, o sposo amato"
Act 2
Scene 2 – Aria of Selinda, "Non mi spaventa quel tuo furore"
Scene 3 – Aria of Atridate, "Del mio paterno affetto"
Scene 4 – Aria of Gilade, "Nel suo leggiadro viso"
Scene 5 – Aria of Farnace, "Figlio, mi sento, o Dio"
Scene 8 – Aria of Tamiri, "Se delirar mi fate"
Scene 9 – Aria of Pompeo, "Sol pugnando in mezzo all'armi"
Scene 11 – Aria of Farnace, "Se asperso il suol rimira"
Act 3
Scene 2 – Aria of Selinda, "Non vi fidate"
Scene 3 – Aria of Pompeo, "Parti dagli occhi miei"
Scene 4 – Aria of Atribate, "Tu mi bramasti oppresso"
Scene 5 – Duet for Tamiri and Farnace, "Tergi quel cara ciglio"
Scene 7 – Chorus, "Chi serba con alma forte"
Score
The complete score of Farnace is available for study online on the Italian website Internet Culturale in the form of a reproduction of a manuscript once in the possession of the Teatro San Carlo of Naples.
References
Notes
- ^ Freeman, where detailed documentation can be found
Cited sources
- ISBN 9780899901480