Composer

:

Giovanni Pergolesi

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

ca. 1736

Average_duration

:

14:45

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was an Italian composer of the Baroque era, known for his operas, sacred music, and chamber music. One of his early works, "Segreto tormento, Op. 2/1," is a solo cantata for soprano and continuo. The composition date of "Segreto tormento" is uncertain, but it is believed to have been written around 1730, when Pergolesi was in his early twenties. The cantata was likely composed for a private patron or for performance in a salon setting. "Segreto tormento" consists of three movements: an opening recitative, an aria, and a closing recitative. The text, by an unknown author, tells of a lover's secret torment and longing for his beloved. The opening recitative sets the scene, with the soprano singing of her lover's hidden pain and the weight of his unspoken love. The aria that follows is a beautiful and melancholy expression of the lover's longing, with a lilting melody and expressive ornamentation. The final recitative brings the cantata to a close, with the soprano expressing her own pain and longing for her lover. Characteristic of Pergolesi's style, "Segreto tormento" is marked by its expressive melodies, graceful ornamentation, and sensitive treatment of text. The cantata showcases Pergolesi's gift for creating intimate and emotional music, and it remains a beloved work in the Baroque vocal repertoire. "Segreto tormento" premiered in a private setting, and it is unclear when it was first publicly performed. However, it has since been recorded and performed by many notable sopranos, including Cecilia Bartoli and Emma Kirkby.

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