Composer

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Luigi Dallapiccola

Genre

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Vocal

Style

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Vocal Music

Luigi Dallapiccola's "Liriche Greche (13)" is a song cycle composed in 1946 for soprano and piano. The work is based on Greek poetry from the 7th to the 4th century BC, and it premiered in Milan on May 22, 1947, with soprano Maria Callas and pianist Giuseppe Baratti. The cycle consists of thirteen movements, each setting a different poem. The first movement, "Saffo," is a passionate and dramatic setting of a poem by the Greek poet Sappho. The second movement, "Anacreonte," is a lively and playful setting of a poem by the Greek poet Anacreon. The third movement, "Alceo," is a more introspective setting of a poem by the Greek poet Alcaeus. The fourth movement, "Stesicoro," is a haunting and melancholic setting of a poem by the Greek poet Stesichorus. The fifth movement, "Ibyco," is a lively and rhythmic setting of a poem by the Greek poet Ibycus. The sixth movement, "Pindaro," is a majestic and grand setting of a poem by the Greek poet Pindar. The seventh movement, "Bacchilide," is a lively and energetic setting of a poem by the Greek poet Bacchylides. The eighth movement, "Simonide," is a more introspective setting of a poem by the Greek poet Simonides. The ninth movement, "Euripide," is a dramatic and intense setting of a poem by the Greek playwright Euripides. The tenth movement, "Sofocle," is a more contemplative setting of a poem by the Greek playwright Sophocles. The eleventh movement, "Eschilo," is a powerful and dramatic setting of a poem by the Greek playwright Aeschylus. The twelfth movement, "Menandro," is a playful and humorous setting of a poem by the Greek playwright Menander. The final movement, "Callimaco," is a serene and peaceful setting of a poem by the Greek poet Callimachus. Throughout the cycle, Dallapiccola's music is characterized by its expressive intensity, its use of rich harmonies and complex rhythms, and its sensitivity to the nuances of the text. The work is a testament to Dallapiccola's mastery of the art of song composition and his deep appreciation for the beauty and power of Greek poetry.

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