Composer

:

Baldassare Galuppi

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1751

Antigona is an opera seria composed by Baldassare Galuppi, also known as Il Buranello, in 1772. The libretto was written by Marco Coltellini and is based on the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles. The opera premiered at the Teatro San Samuele in Venice on January 26, 1772. The plot of Antigona revolves around the conflict between Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, and Creon, the king of Thebes. Antigone's brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, have killed each other in battle, and Creon has decreed that Polynices' body should not be buried. Antigone defies Creon's order and buries her brother, leading to a confrontation between the two. The opera is divided into three acts, each with several movements. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Antigone and Creon. The second act focuses on Antigone's defiance of Creon's order and her subsequent arrest. The third act features Antigone's trial and her eventual suicide. Galuppi's music for Antigona is characterized by its dramatic intensity and emotional depth. The arias and duets are expressive and lyrical, with arias often featuring elaborate ornamentation and virtuosic vocal lines. The orchestration is rich and varied, with Galuppi making use of a wide range of instruments to create a colorful and dynamic sound. Antigona was well-received at its premiere and went on to be performed throughout Italy and Europe. It was particularly popular in Vienna, where it was performed in German translation under the title Antigone. The opera's enduring popularity is a testament to Galuppi's skill as a composer and to the enduring appeal of the story of Antigone and Creon.

More....