Composer

:

Thomas Arne

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata: Solo

Compose Date

:

1753

Publication Date

:

1753

Average_duration

:

10:39

"Cymon and Iphigenia" is an opera composed by Thomas Arne, an English composer, in 1767. The opera premiered at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London, on 24th January 1767. It is a three-act opera with a libretto by David Garrick, a famous actor and playwright of the time. The opera is based on a story from Boccaccio's "Decameron" and tells the story of Cymon, a brutish and uncivilized man who falls in love with Iphigenia, a noblewoman. The story follows Cymon's transformation from a wild and uneducated man to a refined and educated gentleman, thanks to the influence of Iphigenia. The first act of the opera introduces the characters and sets the scene for the story. Cymon is introduced as a wild and uncivilized man who is disliked by the townspeople. Iphigenia is introduced as a noblewoman who is loved by all. Cymon sees Iphigenia and falls in love with her, but she rejects him. The second act of the opera sees Cymon's transformation. He is taken in by a group of educated men who teach him how to read and write. He also learns about art, music, and literature. Cymon becomes a refined and educated gentleman and returns to Iphigenia, who is impressed by his transformation. The third act of the opera sees Cymon and Iphigenia's love story come to a happy ending. They are married, and the townspeople celebrate their union. The music of "Cymon and Iphigenia" is typical of the English opera of the time. It features arias, duets, and choruses, with a focus on melody and vocal virtuosity. The music is also influenced by the Italian opera style, with the use of recitative and aria forms. Overall, "Cymon and Iphigenia" is a charming and entertaining opera that tells a story of transformation and love. It showcases Arne's talent as a composer and Garrick's skill as a librettist. The opera was well-received at its premiere and remained popular for many years after.

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