Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1710

Average_duration

:

40:46

Movement_count

:

19

Movement ....

"Apollo e Dafne (La Terra è Liberata)" is a secular cantata composed by George Frederick Handel in 1710. It premiered in Rome, Italy, on February 24, 1710, during the Carnival season. The cantata consists of two movements, with a total duration of approximately 40 minutes. The first movement, "Apollo," is a recitative and aria for the god Apollo. The recitative begins with Apollo lamenting his unrequited love for the nymph Dafne. He then sings an aria in which he expresses his desire to win her over. The music is characterized by its lively rhythms and virtuosic vocal lines, which reflect the god's confident and energetic personality. The second movement, "Dafne," is a recitative and aria for the nymph Dafne. In the recitative, Dafne rejects Apollo's advances and declares her love for nature. She then sings an aria in which she celebrates her freedom and the beauty of the natural world. The music is characterized by its pastoral melodies and gentle rhythms, which reflect Dafne's peaceful and serene personality. Overall, "Apollo e Dafne (La Terra è Liberata)" is a masterful example of Handel's skill in composing vocal music. The cantata showcases his ability to create vivid characterizations through music, as well as his mastery of the Italian Baroque style. The work remains a popular choice for performances and recordings today, and is considered a cornerstone of the Baroque vocal repertoire.

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