Composer

:

Saverio Mercadante

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1837

Average_duration

:

130:10

Il Giuramento is an opera in three acts composed by Saverio Mercadante. The opera was composed in 1837 and premiered on March 11, 1837, at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. The libretto was written by Gaetano Rossi and is based on a French play by Eugène Scribe. The plot of Il Giuramento revolves around the story of a young woman named Elaisa who is in love with the Duke of Calabria. However, the Duke is already married, and Elaisa is forced to marry the Duke's brother, Count Procida. The Duke is jealous of Elaisa's marriage to his brother and plots to kill her. Meanwhile, Count Procida is involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the ruling government, and the Duke uses this to his advantage to frame Count Procida for the murder of Elaisa. In the end, the truth is revealed, and the Duke is punished for his crimes. The opera is characterized by its dramatic and emotional music, which is typical of the Romantic era. The music is full of expressive melodies, lush harmonies, and powerful orchestration. The vocal writing is also notable for its virtuosity, with many challenging arias and duets for the singers. Il Giuramento is divided into three acts, each with its own set of musical movements. The first act includes an overture, an opening chorus, and several arias and duets. The second act features a ballet and several more arias and duets, including the famous tenor aria "Tu che invoco con orrore." The third act includes a powerful finale, with a chorus and several solo arias. Overall, Il Giuramento is a powerful and emotional opera that showcases Mercadante's skill as a composer. Its dramatic plot and expressive music make it a popular choice for opera companies around the world.

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