Composer

:

Antonio Salieri

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1785

Average_duration

:

137:23

Movement_count

:

52

Movement ....

La Grotta di Trofonio is an opera buffa in two acts composed by Antonio Salieri. The libretto was written by Giovanni Battista Casti and was first performed at the Burgtheater in Vienna on 12 October 1785. The plot revolves around two sisters, Ofelia and Dori, who are in love with two brothers, Artemidoro and Plistene. However, their father, Aristone, wants them to marry two other men, Dimo and Leucippo, who are wealthy but dull. The sisters are unhappy with this arrangement and seek the help of the sorcerer Trofonio, who lives in a cave and has the power to change people's personalities. Trofonio agrees to help the sisters and invites them and their suitors to his cave. Once there, he casts a spell that causes the personalities of the suitors to switch. Dimo becomes witty and charming, while Leucippo becomes dull and boring. The sisters are delighted with the change and fall in love with their new suitors. However, when Trofonio reveals the truth, the sisters are horrified and want to return to their original suitors. Trofonio agrees to reverse the spell, but only if the sisters can correctly identify their original suitors. After some confusion and mistaken identities, the sisters are able to identify their true loves, and Trofonio restores everything to its original state. The music of La Grotta di Trofonio is characterized by its lightness and humor, typical of the opera buffa genre. The arias are melodic and catchy, with lively rhythms and playful orchestration. The opera also features several ensembles, including duets, trios, and quartets, which add to the comic effect. La Grotta di Trofonio was well-received at its premiere and became one of Salieri's most popular operas. It was performed throughout Europe and was particularly popular in Italy, where it was staged in several different versions. The opera's success was due in part to its witty libretto and catchy music, but also to Salieri's skillful use of the orchestra to create a lively and engaging atmosphere.

More....