Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1728

Average_duration

:

153:30

Movement_count

:

70

Movement ....

"Tolomeo" is an opera seria in three acts composed by George Frederick Handel. The libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym and is based on the story of Tolomeo, the King of Egypt, and his wife Seleuce, who is in love with his brother, Araspe. The opera was composed in 1728 and premiered on April 30th of the same year at the King's Theatre in London. The plot of "Tolomeo" revolves around the love triangle between Tolomeo, Seleuce, and Araspe. Tolomeo is a jealous and possessive husband who suspects that his wife is having an affair with his brother. He orders Araspe to leave Egypt, but Seleuce convinces him to stay and they continue their secret relationship. Tolomeo discovers their affair and orders Araspe to be executed. Seleuce is devastated and decides to take her own life, but Tolomeo stops her and they reconcile. The opera is divided into three acts, each with its own set of arias, recitatives, and ensembles. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the love triangle. The second act is the climax of the story, with Tolomeo discovering the affair and ordering Araspe's execution. The third act resolves the conflict and ends with Tolomeo and Seleuce reconciling. Handel's music for "Tolomeo" is characterized by its emotional intensity and dramatic flair. The arias are filled with virtuosic vocal lines and expressive melodies, while the recitatives are fast-paced and full of tension. The orchestration is rich and colorful, with Handel using a variety of instruments to create different moods and atmospheres. Overall, "Tolomeo" is a powerful and moving opera that showcases Handel's mastery of the genre. Its premiere was a great success, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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