Composer

:

Gaetano Donizetti

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

5:32

La sultana is an opera in two acts composed by Gaetano Donizetti. It premiered on November 17, 1823, at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy. The libretto was written by Felice Romani, based on a play by Carlo Goldoni. The opera tells the story of the Ottoman Sultan Solimano, who falls in love with a beautiful slave girl named Roxolana. However, Solimano's Grand Vizier, Rustano, is also in love with Roxolana and plots to get rid of her so that he can have her for himself. The plot thickens when Roxolana is revealed to be a Christian, and Solimano must choose between his love for her and his duty to his Muslim faith. The opera is divided into two acts, each with several musical numbers. The first act opens with a chorus of Janissaries, followed by a duet between Solimano and his confidant, Osmino. Roxolana makes her entrance in a beautiful aria, "Ah! se un giorno da queste ritorte," in which she expresses her longing for freedom. The act ends with a quartet in which Solimano, Roxolana, Rustano, and Osmino all express their conflicting emotions. The second act opens with a chorus of slaves, followed by a duet between Roxolana and Rustano. Solimano enters and sings a beautiful aria, "Ah! se puoi cosi lasciarmi," in which he expresses his love for Roxolana. The climax of the opera comes in the final scene, in which Solimano must choose between his love for Roxolana and his duty to his faith. He ultimately chooses love, and the opera ends with a joyful chorus celebrating the triumph of love over duty. Musically, La sultana is typical of Donizetti's early operas, with arias, duets, and ensembles that showcase the singers' voices. The score is full of beautiful melodies and lush orchestration, with a particular emphasis on the woodwinds and percussion. The opera also features several choruses, which add to the grandeur of the production. Overall, La sultana is a charming and romantic opera that showcases Donizetti's talent for melody and orchestration. While it may not be as well-known as some of his later works, it is still a delightful piece of music that is well worth a listen.

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