Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1786

Average_duration

:

4:08

'Sono Alcina e sono ancora' is a solo cantata composed by Franz Joseph Haydn in 1798. The piece was premiered in Vienna in the same year and is part of a collection of six cantatas that Haydn composed for the soprano singer Brigitta Moll. The cantata consists of three movements, with a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement, marked 'Allegro moderato', is in A major and features a lively and playful melody. The second movement, marked 'Adagio', is in F-sharp minor and is more introspective and melancholic in character. The final movement, marked 'Allegro', returns to the lively and playful character of the first movement, with a faster tempo and virtuosic vocal lines. The text of the cantata is based on a poem by Pietro Metastasio, which tells the story of the sorceress Alcina, who falls in love with a knight named Ruggiero. In the cantata, Alcina sings of her love for Ruggiero and her desire to keep him by her side forever, despite his desire to leave her and return to his homeland. Haydn's music for 'Sono Alcina e sono ancora' is characterized by its lyrical melodies, elegant harmonies, and expressive use of vocal ornamentation. The cantata showcases Haydn's skill in writing for the voice, with its virtuosic vocal lines and sensitive treatment of the text. The piece also demonstrates Haydn's mastery of the classical style, with its clear formal structure and balanced proportions. Overall, 'Sono Alcina e sono ancora' is a charming and expressive work that showcases Haydn's skill as a composer of vocal music. Its combination of lyrical melodies, expressive harmonies, and virtuosic vocal lines make it a favorite among singers and audiences alike.

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