Composer

:

Carl Heinrich Graun

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1751

First Performance

:

December 17, 1751

Brittanico is an opera seria composed by Carl Heinrich Graun in 1753. The plot revolves around the historical figure of King Arthur, who is known as Brittanico in the opera. The libretto was written by the Italian poet and librettist Pietro Metastasio, who was known for his collaborations with many composers of the time. The opera is divided into three acts and features a cast of six principal singers, including Brittanico, his wife Emilia, his rival Tullio, and his confidant Licinio. The story follows Brittanico as he struggles to maintain his power and his marriage against the machinations of Tullio, who seeks to overthrow him and take his place as king. The music of Brittanico is characterized by its virtuosic vocal writing, with many elaborate arias and duets for the principal singers. The orchestration is also notable for its use of horns and trumpets, which add a regal and majestic quality to the music. Brittanico premiered on January 6, 1753, at the Royal Opera House in Berlin, where Graun was the court composer. The opera was a great success and was subsequently performed throughout Europe, including in Vienna, Paris, and London. The opera is notable for its adherence to the conventions of opera seria, which was the dominant operatic style of the time. This style emphasized the use of recitative and aria to tell a story, with a focus on the emotions and inner lives of the characters. The music was often highly ornamented and featured elaborate vocal displays, which were intended to showcase the virtuosity of the singers. Despite its popularity in the 18th century, Brittanico is now rarely performed. However, it remains an important example of the opera seria style and a testament to the skill of Carl Heinrich Graun as a composer.

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