Jealousy
[ca.1697/8]
Remarkable, dramatic recitatives, female narrator, theme of jealousy caused by separation; range: d'- g
Editor: Rosalind Halton
The first version of this cantata, dated 10 March 1701 in Scarlatti's 'Cantata Diary'. 'Tormented by my thoughts, consumed with desire, lost is hope, and without hope what point is there in life?' The torments of Jealousy in love. RARA format.
Source: Münster Santini Sammlung HS 864(7)
Range: d - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
The second version on this text, using more of the text than version I. The cruel force of Jealousy plagues the young lover in this concisely written pastoral cantata. Tormented by thoughts, consumed with desire, lost is hope, and without hope what point is there in life?.
Source: Münster Santini Sammlung 3909
Range: b - c#'
Editor: James Sanderson
Text is by Cardinal Ottoboni: being apart is a monster, a fury, and always gives rise to jealousy. Arias are in B flat (very ornate) and C major (very cheerful and melodic), and the cantata finishes with a brief recitative, giving thanks for faithful love which can survive separation. Both arias have rewarding dialogue for voice and cello. RARAR format
Range: e flat'- g''
Source: British Library, Add. Ms. 34056
The whole manuscript contains settings of Ottoboni's texts.
Editor: Rosalind Halton
'Silentio, aure volanti - the pain of unrequited love in a sinuous cantata of the night. Arioso interwoven into a contrapuntal 4 part texture is a feature of this early work, whose central aria 'Piangerò' is a profound lament in C minor. 'Silentio, aure volanti' can be heard on 'Olimpia and other Cantatas by Alessandro Scarlatti', chacona (ABC Classics 461 687-2).
Range d'-a''.
Editor: Rosalind Halton
A virtuosic and taxing cantata in 10 sections. "...on the banks of the Tiber...faithful Aminta, from his infinite sadness cried to Heaven and Earth of the scornful Clori “I am betrayed”...'
Source: Florence, Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini D 2364
Range: d# - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
For once love and constancy is rewarded. Although the lover fears jealousy and distance from the beloved, 'hope springs eternal' for "...the distance between us is nothing when I know of your sweet constancy..." Some wonderfully chromatic moments in the first largo aria and the closing allegro is fully of rhythmic shifts.
Source: Santini HS 859 (last)
Range: e flat - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
Domenico Scarlatti's extraordinary setting of Metastasio's cantata. The format is two-part instrumental introduction, aria, recit, aria with typically virtuosic writing for both violins and voice. The subject is mourning for lost Fille - lost to rival Fileno. Summed up well in the final line: If for for a moment of dreaming I am happy, my torment increases with the coming day.
Range: c - a''
Editor: Kate Eckersley & James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 38036 ff 121r - 124r
No birds, but plenty of bees, roses and, of course, thorns in this charming cantata by the Neapolitan Nicola Fago. Smitten by ungrateful Fillide, the lover swears eternal constancy - why? In aria - recit - aria (Affettuoso) format
Range: e - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
The pain of betrayal and the anguish it causes is the theme of the first part of this delightful cantata. The sobbing of the affettuoso aria is beautiful. The second half of the cantata, however, sees our young man in a fury! His long recit and final 'rage' aria (with its contrasting 3/2 middle section) are a piece of virtuosic writing of the first order.
Editor: James Sanderson
As the nightingale sings of the pains of love, Filli's lover swears his devotion to her and begs her to ignore all the lies and jealousies that plague young love. ARA format, the first a complex and virtuosic larghetto, e cantabile, the last marked non presto
Source: Münster Santini Sammlung Hs 2358
Range: e - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
The fire and pains of jealousy and unrequited love fan our protagonist's ardour in this lovely cantata. In RARA format, the first aria full of unexpected chromaticism, the second an excellent 'walking bass'.
Source: Münster HS 2459(6)
Range: f - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
"Between hope and fear the poor heart does not know what to do..." So ends this exciting cantata in ARARA format. Virtuosic (but with pathos). A tale of how jealousy can ruin even the strongest of relationships.
Range: d - b''
Source: Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica S. Pietro a Majella - Napoli - IT-NA0059; Segnatura: Cantate 29-07
Editor: James Sanderson
Love honest and faithful? Really? This delightful cantata in RARARA format puts forward the theory that Love would be a truly wonderful thing, were it not for the fire of jealousy! Very well-drafted, each aria has a particular mood and the recitatvies are full of fun inflections and some lovely chromatic writing.
Editor: James Sanderson
A marvellous work by Mancini in RARA format - the recitatives are extensive and harmonically complex. The subject deals with infidelity and starts with the (female) protagonist railing at Lidio, calling him unfaithful, liar etc. The last aria ends, however, with the decision to match his betrayal with her own!
Source: Münster HS 2459(12)
Range: a - d'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 14213 ff 132r - 135r
An exciting piece from a very clear copy (a welcome rarity in Mancini's case!) Among the soft feathers the lover rests his soul and dreams of wicked spiteful Clori again! Why do they keep coming back for more? 2 recit and 2 aria (allegretto and allegro) format
Range: b flat - e' flat
Editor: James Sanderson
The treachery of Cupid is once the again a hot topic in this RARA format cantata. With two excellent arias which challenge both continuo and singer, this is an interesting addition to our catalogue.
Source: Münster Santini Sammlung HS 864(13)
Range: a - d'
Editor: James Sanderson
Jealousy as the Mother of Tears is the theme of this very worthwhile cantata by the Neapolitan master. In RARA format, wonderfully expressive and tormented recitatives, a stunning Largo first aria and a fiery last aria.
Source: Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica S. Pietro a Majella - Napoli: 33.3.33 (21).
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add 38036 ff 89r - 94r
A cantata dedicated to the little green demon of jealousy! Three excellent arias, particularly the first and some extensive and carefully crafted recitative. From a collection dated 1706, at least know the latest date it could have been written!
Range: d' - g''
Editor: James Sanderson
very attractive cantata from BL MS Add 14215 which expounds the plight of the lover of Dorinda (la bella) and has a great gasping aria to end.
Editor: James Sanderson
Forces: soprano & continuo
The first six of the cantatas dedicated to the Prince of Wales in 1735
All to texts by Metastasio, they are virtuosic, filled with beautifully written recitatives and arias, perhaps the high-point of Porpora's work in this genre.
D'amore il primo dardo
Nel mio sonno almen
Tirsi chiamare a Nome
Queste che miri o Nice
Scrivo in te l'amato nome (Il nome)
Già la notte s'avvicina
See the individual titles for previews
Editor: James Sanderson
A stunning, large work with some really impressive vocal writing, both in the recitatives and the 2 arias. Opening with a Sinfonia in two parts, Vulcan bemoans Venus and her inconstancy. Not, perhaps, an ideal wife for him after all! The first aria, Largo is expressive and virtuosic and the final aria is appropriately fiery.
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: 2 copies in the British Library
This is not a cantata to win friends and influence people within the 'feminist movement'. The final (strangely written) aria uses the text: You are a woman, so I expect you to be inconstant and unfaithful, but I forgive you; I am a man and will fall in love with other women, just enjoy it!. It's either a very modern marriage or slightly insulting, you decide. In two recit and aria format, the arias both largo and without ritornelli.
Range: d - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source BL Add 14226 f 20r - 23v
Beautifully crafted arias with very sensible recitatives discuss an interesting excuse for infedelity. "I want to love you, but cruel jealousy makes me stray!"
Range: e' - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
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