Composer

:

Frederick the Great

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1747

Il Re Pastore is an opera seria in two acts composed by Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, in 1751. The libretto was written by Pietro Metastasio, an Italian poet and librettist who was highly regarded in the 18th century. The opera tells the story of Alexander the Great, who is torn between his love for a shepherdess named Aminta and his duty to marry a princess named Tamiri in order to secure peace between two warring kingdoms. The opera premiered on December 23, 1751, at the Royal Palace in Potsdam, Germany. It was performed in Italian, which was the language of opera at the time, and featured a cast of both Italian and German singers. The premiere was a great success, and the opera was subsequently performed in other cities throughout Europe. Il Re Pastore is characterized by its beautiful melodies, elegant vocal writing, and graceful orchestration. The opera features a number of memorable arias, including "L'amerò, sarò costante," which is sung by Aminta as she pledges her love to Alexander, and "Se tu di me fai dono," which is sung by Tamiri as she tries to win Alexander's affections. The opera is divided into two acts, each of which is comprised of several scenes. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Alexander's love for Aminta and his duty to marry Tamiri. The second act resolves the conflict and ends with a joyful celebration of love and peace. Il Re Pastore is considered to be one of Frederick the Great's most successful compositions. It is a testament to his love of music and his skill as a composer, and it remains a beloved work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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