Composer

:

Niccolò Piccinni

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1760

Average_duration

:

154:32

La Cecchina is an opera composed by Niccolò Piccinni, an Italian composer, in 1760. The opera is a comic opera in three acts and is based on the libretto by Carlo Goldoni. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Cecchina, a young girl who is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Cecchina is in love with a young man named Leandro, who is the son of a poor farmer. However, Cecchina's father wants her to marry a wealthy nobleman named Don Cassandro. The opera begins with Cecchina's father, Don Bartolomeo, trying to force her to marry Don Cassandro. However, Cecchina is in love with Leandro and refuses to marry Don Cassandro. Don Bartolomeo is furious and disowns Cecchina, leaving her to fend for herself. Cecchina then goes to live with Leandro's family, where she is welcomed with open arms. Don Cassandro, however, is not willing to give up on Cecchina and tries to win her back. He enlists the help of his servant, Mengotto, who disguises himself as a doctor and tries to convince Cecchina to marry Don Cassandro. However, Cecchina sees through the disguise and refuses to marry Don Cassandro. In the end, Don Bartolomeo realizes his mistake and reconciles with Cecchina. He gives his blessing to her marriage with Leandro, and the two are happily married. Don Cassandro is left alone and humiliated, while Mengotto is punished for his deceit. La Cecchina premiered on January 6, 1760, at the Teatro delle Dame in Rome. The opera was an immediate success and was performed throughout Italy and Europe. The opera is known for its lively and catchy melodies, as well as its witty and humorous libretto. The movements of the opera are divided into three acts, each with several scenes. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Cecchina and her father. The second act focuses on Don Cassandro's attempts to win Cecchina back, while the third act resolves the conflict and ends with the happy marriage of Cecchina and Leandro. The characteristics of La Cecchina are typical of the comic opera genre. The opera features lively and catchy melodies, as well as witty and humorous dialogue. The characters are exaggerated and caricatured, with Don Cassandro representing the wealthy and powerful, while Cecchina and Leandro represent the young and innocent. The opera also features elements of social commentary, with the conflict between Cecchina and her father representing the tension between tradition and modernity in Italian society at the time.

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