Composer

:

Domenico Cimarosa

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1782

Average_duration

:

5:55

Giuditta is an opera in two acts composed by Domenico Cimarosa. The opera premiered on February 4, 1796, at the Teatro Valle in Rome. The libretto was written by Giovanni Bertati, who based it on a French play by Antoine-Francois Quétant. The opera is divided into two acts, each with several scenes. The first act opens with a chorus of villagers celebrating the arrival of the Duke of Mantua. The Duke is in love with Giuditta, a beautiful young woman who is engaged to the wealthy merchant, Asdrubale. The Duke convinces Giuditta to leave Asdrubale and run away with him. Asdrubale is heartbroken and vows revenge. The second act takes place in the Duke's palace. Asdrubale has hired a group of bandits to kidnap Giuditta and bring her back to him. The Duke is furious and orders his soldiers to find and punish the bandits. In the end, Giuditta realizes that she loves Asdrubale and decides to return to him. The music of Giuditta is characterized by its lightness and elegance. Cimarosa's use of melody and harmony is particularly noteworthy, as he creates a sense of fluidity and grace throughout the opera. The vocal writing is also notable, with each character given a distinct and memorable musical personality. Overall, Giuditta is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Cimarosa's skill as a composer. Its premiere was a great success, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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