Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1695

Average_duration

:

1:54

"I attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly" is a semi-opera composed by Henry Purcell in 1692. The plot is based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but with a twist. The story follows the character of Acis, who is in love with Galatea, a sea nymph. However, Galatea is in love with Polyphemus, a cyclops. Acis is heartbroken and attempts to fly away from his love sickness, but ultimately fails and dies. The opera premiered on May 19, 1692, at the Theatre Royal in London. It was part of a larger production called "The Fairy Queen," which was a masque based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." "I attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly" was one of several musical interludes in the masque. The opera is composed of three movements. The first movement is a recitative, where Acis sings about his love for Galatea and his despair at her rejection. The second movement is an aria, where Acis attempts to fly away from his love sickness. The third movement is a duet between Galatea and Polyphemus, where they sing about their love for each other. The music of "I attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly" is characterized by Purcell's use of chromaticism and dissonance. The music reflects the emotional turmoil of the characters, with the dissonant harmonies and unexpected chord progressions adding to the sense of unease and tension. Overall, "I attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly" is a poignant and emotional opera that explores the themes of love, rejection, and heartbreak. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Purcell's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion through music.

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