Composer

:

Alessandro Scarlatti

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1697

First Performance

:

Dec 15, 1697

La caduta de' Decemviri is an opera composed by Alessandro Scarlatti in 1697. The plot of the opera is based on the story of the fall of the Decemviri, a group of ten magistrates who ruled Rome in the 5th century BC. The Decemviri were appointed to draft a new set of laws for Rome, but they became corrupt and tyrannical, leading to their downfall. The opera is divided into three acts, each with its own set of movements. The first act sets the scene in Rome, where the Decemviri are ruling with an iron fist. The people of Rome are unhappy with their rule, and a group of rebels led by the nobleman Appio Claudio are plotting to overthrow them. The second act sees the rebels gaining ground, with Appio Claudio leading an attack on the Decemviri's stronghold. The final act sees the Decemviri defeated and Rome restored to its former glory. The music of La caduta de' Decemviri is typical of Scarlatti's style, with arias and recitatives interspersed with choruses and instrumental interludes. The arias are often virtuosic, with elaborate vocal runs and ornamentation, while the choruses are grand and majestic, reflecting the epic nature of the story. The premiere of La caduta de' Decemviri took place in Rome in 1697, and the opera was well received by audiences and critics alike. It was subsequently performed in other cities throughout Italy, and Scarlatti's reputation as a composer of opera was firmly established. One of the characteristics of Scarlatti's operas is his use of the da capo aria form, in which the singer repeats the first section of the aria after a contrasting middle section. This form allows the singer to showcase their vocal abilities, while also providing an opportunity for emotional expression. Overall, La caduta de' Decemviri is a fine example of Scarlatti's operatic style, with its combination of dramatic storytelling, virtuosic singing, and grand choral music. It remains a popular work in the repertoire of Baroque opera today.

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