Composer

:

Luigi Rossi

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1647

Average_duration

:

219:06

'Orfeo' is an opera composed by Luigi Rossi in 1647. The plot of the opera is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus, who descends into the underworld to rescue his beloved wife Eurydice. The opera is divided into five acts and features a libretto by Francesco Buti. The premiere of 'Orfeo' took place on February 2, 1647, at the Palais Royal in Paris. The opera was commissioned by Cardinal Mazarin, who was the chief minister of France at the time. The performance was a great success and helped to establish Italian opera in France. The movements of 'Orfeo' are characterized by a mixture of recitative and aria. The recitative sections are used to advance the plot and convey dialogue, while the arias are used to express the emotions of the characters. The music of 'Orfeo' is characterized by its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which were innovative for the time. The main character of 'Orfeo' is Orpheus, who is portrayed as a tragic hero. He is deeply in love with his wife Eurydice and is devastated when she dies. He decides to descend into the underworld to rescue her, despite the warnings of the gods. In the end, he is successful in his quest but loses Eurydice again when he disobeys the gods' command not to look back at her. Other characters in the opera include Eurydice, who is portrayed as a loving and devoted wife, and Pluto, the god of the underworld, who is portrayed as a powerful and menacing figure. The chorus plays an important role in the opera, providing commentary on the action and expressing the emotions of the characters. Overall, 'Orfeo' is a masterpiece of early Italian opera. Its innovative use of music and its powerful portrayal of the myth of Orpheus have made it a beloved work of the operatic repertoire.

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