Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1768

Average_duration

:

157:05

Movement_count

:

27

Movement ....

La finta semplice is an opera buffa in three acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1768 when he was just 12 years old. The libretto was written by Marco Coltellini, and the opera premiered on January 1, 1769, at the Burgtheater in Vienna. The plot of La finta semplice revolves around the character of Rosina, a young woman who is in love with her brother's friend, the soldier Giacinto. However, her brother, Don Cassandro, is against their relationship and wants to marry Rosina off to his own friend, the wealthy and elderly Simone. To get around this, Rosina and Giacinto come up with a plan to pretend that Giacinto is in love with Simone's niece, the finta semplice (fake simpleton) Giacinta. This plan is complicated by the fact that Giacinta is actually in love with Rosina's brother, Don Polidoro, who is pretending to be a servant in order to win her heart. The premiere of La finta semplice was not a success, partly due to the fact that the Emperor Joseph II was not amused by the portrayal of a nobleman as a fool. However, the opera was later revived in 1773 and became popular in Italy, where it was performed under the title La villanella rapita (The Abducted Peasant Girl). Musically, La finta semplice is notable for its use of ensemble numbers, which were unusual in opera buffa at the time. The opera also features a number of arias and duets that showcase Mozart's skill at writing catchy melodies and playful, witty lyrics. The score is full of lively rhythms and colorful orchestration, with a particular emphasis on the winds and brass. Overall, La finta semplice is a charming and entertaining work that shows Mozart's early talent for opera composition. While it may not be as well-known as some of his later works, it is still a delightful piece of music that is well worth exploring.

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