Composer

:

Alessandro Scarlatti

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Sep 17, 1707

Average_duration

:

8:49

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

'Questo silenzio ombroso Il sonno' is a vocal chamber cantata composed by Alessandro Scarlatti, an Italian Baroque composer, in the early 18th century. The cantata was composed for a solo voice and basso continuo, and it is believed to have been written for a castrato singer. The piece is characterized by its expressive and emotional qualities, which are typical of Scarlatti's style. The cantata is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of sleep. The first movement, 'Questo silenzio ombroso,' is a recitative that sets the scene for the cantata. The singer describes the peaceful silence of the night and the tranquility that comes with sleep. The second movement, 'Il sonno,' is an aria that expresses the desire for sleep. The singer longs for the restful oblivion that sleep brings, and the music reflects this with its gentle, flowing melody and soft accompaniment. The final movement, 'Ma quando il sonno,' is another recitative that describes the fleeting nature of sleep. The singer laments that sleep is always too short and that the waking world is full of troubles and worries. The cantata premiered in the early 18th century, and it quickly became popular among audiences and performers alike. Scarlatti's expressive and emotional style was well-suited to the intimate setting of the vocal chamber cantata, and his music was admired for its beauty and elegance. The cantata remains a popular piece in the Baroque vocal repertoire, and it is often performed by soloists and ensembles around the world. Overall, 'Questo silenzio ombroso Il sonno' is a beautiful and expressive example of Scarlatti's vocal chamber music. Its three movements explore the theme of sleep in a thoughtful and nuanced way, and the music is characterized by its gentle melodies, expressive harmonies, and emotional depth. The cantata remains a testament to Scarlatti's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the human experience.

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