Composer

:

Francesco Nicola Fago

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1709

Average_duration

:

4:45

"Il Faraone sommerso" is an opera seria in three acts composed by Francesco Nicola Fago. The opera premiered on January 5, 1735, at the Teatro San Bartolomeo in Naples, Italy. The libretto was written by Pietro Metastasio, one of the most prominent librettists of the time. The opera tells the story of the Egyptian pharaoh Amasis, who falls in love with the Greek princess Argia. However, their love is threatened by the jealousy of Amasis' wife, Nitocri, and the machinations of the high priest Araspe. The plot is full of twists and turns, with betrayals, secret identities, and unexpected revelations. The music of "Il Faraone sommerso" is typical of the opera seria style, with arias, recitatives, and ensembles. The arias are characterized by their virtuosity and expressiveness, with elaborate vocal lines and ornamentation. The recitatives are more declamatory, serving to advance the plot and convey the characters' emotions. The ensembles, such as duets and trios, provide opportunities for dramatic interaction between the characters. The first act of the opera introduces the main characters and sets up the conflict between Amasis and Nitocri. The second act is the most dramatic, with the revelation of Argia's true identity and the confrontation between Amasis and Araspe. The third act resolves the plot, with the triumph of love over jealousy and deceit. Overall, "Il Faraone sommerso" is a fine example of the opera seria genre, with its combination of dramatic plot, expressive music, and virtuosic singing. It was well-received at its premiere and remained popular for many years, with revivals in Naples and other Italian cities. Today, it is less well-known than some of Fago's other works, but it still deserves to be heard and appreciated for its beauty and artistry.

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