Composer

:

Gaetano Donizetti

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1836

Average_duration

:

55:29

Il campanello di notte is an opera buffa in one act composed by Gaetano Donizetti in 1836. The libretto was written by Donizetti's frequent collaborator, Domenico Gilardoni. The opera premiered on June 1, 1836, at the Teatro Nuovo in Naples. The plot of Il campanello di notte revolves around the character of Enrico, a wealthy pharmacist who is married to the beautiful but temperamental Leonora. Enrico is visited by his former lover, the flirtatious and persistent soprano, Madame Stella, who has come to his house to demand that he renew their relationship. Enrico, who is desperate to avoid Leonora's wrath, tries to get rid of Madame Stella by pretending to be deaf and dumb. However, Madame Stella is not easily deterred and uses a variety of tactics to try to get Enrico to pay attention to her, including pretending to be a patient in need of medicine and even threatening to jump out of a window. The premiere of Il campanello di notte was a great success, and the opera quickly became one of Donizetti's most popular works. The opera is known for its lively and humorous music, which features a number of catchy melodies and witty vocal writing. The score also includes a number of virtuosic arias and duets, which showcase the talents of the singers. Il campanello di notte is divided into several movements, including a lively overture, several arias and duets, and a final ensemble. The music is characterized by its lightness and humor, with Donizetti using a variety of musical devices to create a sense of playfulness and whimsy. The vocal writing is also notable for its agility and virtuosity, with the singers required to navigate a number of challenging runs and trills. Overall, Il campanello di notte is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Donizetti's skill as a composer of comic opera. Its catchy melodies, witty libretto, and lively music have made it a favorite of audiences and performers alike, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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