Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

ca. 1708

Average_duration

:

15:42

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

"Ah che pur troppo è vero" is an aria from the opera "Rodrigo" by George Frederick Handel. The opera was composed in 1707 and premiered on July 27th of the same year at the Queen's Theatre in London. The aria is part of the second act and is sung by the character of Rodrigo, who laments the fact that his beloved, Esilena, is in love with another man. The aria is in the key of A minor and is written for a tenor voice. It is a slow and melancholic piece, with a simple and repetitive melody that emphasizes the character's despair. The accompaniment is provided by a string orchestra, with occasional interjections from the oboe and bassoon. The aria is divided into two sections, each with its own distinct melody. The first section begins with the words "Ah che pur troppo è vero" ("Ah, that it is all too true"), which are repeated several times throughout the piece. The melody is simple and plaintive, with long, sustained notes that convey the character's sadness and resignation. The second section begins with the words "Ma se l'amo, se l'adoro" ("But if I love her, if I adore her"), which introduce a more agitated and passionate melody. The tenor voice rises and falls in a series of dramatic leaps and runs, expressing the character's conflicting emotions of love and despair. Overall, "Ah che pur troppo è vero" is a beautiful and poignant aria that showcases Handel's skill at creating expressive and emotionally charged music. Its simple melody and orchestration allow the tenor voice to shine, conveying the character's inner turmoil and heartbreak.

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