Composer

:

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

Dec 29, 1927

Average_duration

:

117:30

Sly is an opera in three acts composed by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. The opera was composed in 1909 and premiered on December 29, 1927, at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. The libretto was written by Giovacchino Forzano, based on the play "Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Sly, a drunken tinker who is tricked into believing that he is a nobleman. The story begins with Sly being found drunk and asleep in a ditch by a group of traveling actors. They decide to play a trick on him and convince him that he is a lord who has been asleep for many years. Sly is taken to a castle where he is treated like a nobleman and given a wife, the beautiful and headstrong Bianca. However, the real story begins when the play within the play starts. The story of Bianca and her sister, the shrewish Katherina, is played out on stage. Bianca is courted by several suitors, but her father will not allow her to marry until Katherina is wed. Katherina is known for her sharp tongue and bad temper, and no man wants to marry her. However, Petruchio, a wealthy and determined suitor, decides to take on the challenge of taming Katherina. The opera is divided into three movements, each corresponding to one act of the play. The first act is set in the tavern where Sly is found, the second act takes place in the castle where Sly is convinced he is a lord, and the third act is the play within the play. The music of Sly is characterized by its lightness and humor. Wolf-Ferrari's use of orchestration is particularly noteworthy, with the music often reflecting the action on stage. The opera also features several memorable arias, including Katherina's "Non mi volesti amar" and Petruchio's "Sia benedetto il giorno." Overall, Sly is a charming and entertaining opera that combines the wit and humor of Shakespeare's play with the musical talents of Wolf-Ferrari. Its premiere may have been delayed, but it has since become a beloved classic of the operatic repertoire.

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