Composer

:

Franco Alfano

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1948

Average_duration

:

3:06

Franco Alfano was an Italian composer who lived from 1875 to 1954. He is best known for completing Giacomo Puccini's unfinished opera, Turandot, after Puccini's death in 1924. However, Alfano also composed a number of his own works, including the song cycle "Sì, lo so." "Sì, lo so" was composed in 1920 and premiered in Milan in 1921. The song cycle consists of six movements, each of which sets a poem by a different Italian poet. The movements are as follows: 1. "Sì, lo so" (Yes, I know) - text by Gabriele D'Annunzio 2. "La sera" (The evening) - text by Giosuè Carducci 3. "L'infinito" (The infinite) - text by Giacomo Leopardi 4. "La vita fugge" (Life flies) - text by Ugo Foscolo 5. "Serenata" (Serenade) - text by Salvatore Di Giacomo 6. "L'ultima canzone" (The last song) - text by Ada Negri The overall character of the song cycle is one of introspection and melancholy. The texts deal with themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. Alfano's music is often spare and understated, allowing the poetry to take center stage. However, there are also moments of lush harmony and soaring melody, particularly in the final movement, which features a soaring vocal line and rich orchestration. Overall, "Sì, lo so" is a beautiful and poignant work that showcases Alfano's skill as a composer and his sensitivity to the nuances of Italian poetry.

More....