Composer

:

Gaetano Donizetti

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1842 - 1843

First Performance

:

Jan 18, 1844

Average_duration

:

106:05

Movement_count

:

36

Movement ....

"Caterina Cornaro" is an opera in two acts composed by Gaetano Donizetti. The libretto was written by Giacomo Sacchèro and based on the life of Caterina Cornaro, the last queen of Cyprus. The opera was composed in 1844 and premiered on January 12, 1844, at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. The plot of the opera revolves around the life of Caterina Cornaro, who was forced to abdicate her throne in Cyprus and was exiled to Venice. The opera begins with Caterina being crowned as the queen of Cyprus. She is in love with Gérard, a French knight, but is forced to marry Lusignano, the king of Cyprus, for political reasons. Lusignano dies soon after their marriage, and Caterina is left to rule the kingdom alone. Caterina faces many challenges as the queen of Cyprus, including threats from the Ottoman Empire and internal political turmoil. She is eventually forced to abdicate her throne and is exiled to Venice, where she lives out the rest of her life. The opera is divided into two acts, with each act consisting of several movements. The first act includes an overture, followed by several arias and duets. The second act includes a ballet, followed by several more arias and duets. The music of "Caterina Cornaro" is characterized by Donizetti's signature bel canto style, with beautiful melodies and intricate vocal lines. The opera also features a number of ensemble pieces, including duets and trios, which showcase Donizetti's skill at writing for multiple voices. Overall, "Caterina Cornaro" is a beautiful and moving opera that tells the story of a strong and resilient woman who overcomes great adversity. It is a testament to Donizetti's skill as a composer and his ability to create compelling characters and stories through music.

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