Composer

:

Antonio Vivaldi

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

before 1742

Average_duration

:

12:34

"La farfalletta s'aggira al lume" (The little butterfly flutters around the light) is a vocal chamber cantata composed by Antonio Vivaldi in the early 18th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1710 and 1720. The cantata is scored for soprano voice, two violins, viola, and basso continuo. The cantata consists of three movements. The first movement is an aria in A minor, "La farfalletta s'aggira al lume," in which the soprano sings of a butterfly fluttering around a light, drawn to its brightness but ultimately doomed to perish. The second movement is a recitative in A major, "Oimè, che furia d'amore," in which the soprano laments the power of love and its ability to cause pain. The final movement is another aria in A minor, "Se lento ancora il fulmine," in which the soprano expresses her desire for a slow and gentle end to her suffering. The cantata is characterized by Vivaldi's signature virtuosic vocal writing and expressive use of instrumental accompaniment. The first aria features a lively and playful melody, with the violins and viola imitating the fluttering of the butterfly's wings. The second movement is more introspective, with the soprano's voice accompanied by sparse and delicate chords in the continuo. The final aria is more somber, with the soprano's voice accompanied by sustained chords in the strings, creating a sense of longing and resignation. "La farfalletta s'aggira al lume" was likely premiered in Venice, where Vivaldi was based for much of his career. The cantata is a prime example of Vivaldi's skill in writing for the human voice, and remains a popular work in the vocal chamber repertoire.

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