Composer

:

Simon Mayr

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Average_duration

:

96:35

"Samuele" is an opera composed by Simon Mayr, an Italian composer of German origin. The opera was composed in 1794 and premiered in the same year in Venice, Italy. It is a three-act opera with a libretto by Gaetano Rossi. The first act of "Samuele" begins with a chorus of Israelites lamenting their captivity in Babylon. The main character, Samuele, enters and sings a prayer to God, asking for deliverance from their oppressors. The Babylonian king, Nabucco, enters and demands that the Israelites worship him as a god. Samuele refuses and is thrown into prison. In the second act, Samuele is visited by his sister, Anna, who brings him food and water. She tells him that their father has died and that their mother is ill. Samuele sings a lament for his father and prays for his mother's recovery. Nabucco enters and offers to release Samuele if he will renounce his faith. Samuele refuses and is sentenced to death. The third act begins with a chorus of Israelites mourning Samuele's impending execution. Anna enters and tells them that Samuele has been miraculously freed from prison. Samuele enters and sings a hymn of thanksgiving to God. Nabucco enters and demands that Samuele worship him as a god. Samuele refuses and is miraculously lifted up into heaven. "Samuele" is characterized by its use of choral music, which is used to great effect in the opening and closing scenes of each act. The music is also notable for its use of recitative, which is used to advance the plot and convey the characters' emotions. The opera is also notable for its use of orchestration, which is used to create a sense of drama and tension throughout the work. Overall, "Samuele" is a powerful and moving opera that tells the story of a man who refuses to renounce his faith in the face of persecution. It is a testament to the enduring power of religious faith and the human spirit.

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