Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

ca. 1708

Average_duration

:

9:46

"Clori, degli occhi miei" (Clori, of my eyes) is a cantata for soprano and continuo composed by George Frederick Handel in 1707. The piece was likely written for the Roman soprano Margherita Durastanti, who was one of Handel's favorite singers at the time. The cantata is divided into three movements: an opening recitative, an aria, and a closing recitative. The text, written by an unknown author, tells the story of a lover who is consumed by his passion for Clori, a beautiful woman who has captured his heart. The opening recitative sets the scene, with the lover lamenting his inability to escape Clori's hold on him. The aria that follows is a beautiful and lyrical piece, with the lover expressing his love for Clori in soaring melodic lines. The closing recitative brings the piece to a close, with the lover once again expressing his despair at his inability to escape Clori's grasp. One of the most striking characteristics of "Clori, degli occhi miei" is its use of melody. Handel's gift for melody is on full display in this piece, with the soaring lines of the aria and the beautiful, expressive recitatives. The piece is also notable for its use of harmony, with Handel using rich, complex chords to underscore the emotional content of the text. "Clori, degli occhi miei" premiered in Rome in 1707, and was likely performed by Margherita Durastanti. The piece has since become a beloved part of the soprano repertoire, and is frequently performed in recitals and concerts around the world.

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