Loading…
- Cilea, Francesco
Duration: 3 minutes
Description: The four-act opera Adriana Lecouvreur was composed by FRANCESCO CILEA (1866-1950) and premiered on November 6, 1902, at the Teatro Lirico in Milan, with Angelica Pandolfini in the title role and Enrico Caruso in the role of Maurizio. The libretto is by Arturo Colautti, and it is based on a play by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé, where some of the characters are based on actual historical figures, although the story itself is fictional. Despite a plot that includes multiple romantic entanglements, unrequited loves, misunderstandings, and murder-by poisoned-violets, the work is considered among the verismo operas, if it is less realistic than others classified as such. The title role has remained a favorite for sopranos with large voices since its premiere, and the opera holds a regular place in the repertoire. In Act II, the duet “Ma, dunque, è vero? Dite?” unfolds between Adriana and her lover, Maurizio. The scene captures Adriana’s mingled joy and anxiety as she seeks reassurance of Maurizio’s love, while he affirms his devotion with warmth and passion. The music alternates between tender lyricism and more ardent, dramatic passages, reflecting both Adriana’s vulnerability and the intensity of their bond. This duet serves as one of the opera’s emotional high points, showcasing Cilea’s gift for soaring melodies and lush orchestration, while deepening the central love story against the backdrop of intrigue and rivalry. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2+EH.2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp: Hp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Soli Sop.Ten. Reprint edition.