Composizioni da Camera (Bellini)
Encyclopedia
The Composizioni da Camera is a set of fifteen collected compositions for voice and piano by the Italian
opera
composer, Vincenzo Bellini
. They were likely composed in the 1820s while Bellini was in the Italian cities of Naples
and Milan
, before his departure for Paris
.
in 1935 on the centenary of Bellini's death, it is unlikely that Bellini ever considered these works as a whole. The collection consists of three main sections. The first is a group of six compositions of varying genres, while the second and third sections contain three and six compositions, respectively, called ariette.
may contain some dramatic elements, the ariette conform to a song-like melody as in Vaga luna, che inargenti. This famous example is strophic and plainly sung with scant accompaniment. This kind of texture contrasts strikingly against Bellini's melodramatic and emotive arias in operas like Norma
.
While these works find few similarities with the operatic style of the early 19th century, it is likely that some folk influence, especially from Bellini's native Sicily
, may have inspired their melodies. The poetry is in most cases anonymous and usually incorporates a folk meter. In response to their romantic theme and florid imagery, Bellini provides restrained and enchanting melodies.
) to performances by singers like Luciano Pavarotti
. The famous tenor
performed five of these songs at the Metropolitan Opera
with James Levine
in a 1988 recital. Like Pavarotti, most singers present only certain selections from this work. Similarly, the program order and key of each piece is open to the performer's discretion.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
composer, Vincenzo Bellini
Vincenzo Bellini
Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini was an Italian opera composer. His greatest works are I Capuleti ed i Montecchi , La sonnambula , Norma , Beatrice di Tenda , and I puritani...
. They were likely composed in the 1820s while Bellini was in the Italian cities of Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
and Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, before his departure for Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Publication
First published under the title Composizioni da Camera by the Milan publisher RicordiCasa Ricordi
Casa Ricordi is a classical music publishing company founded in 1808 as G. Ricordi & Co. by violinist Giovanni Ricordi in Milan, Italy...
in 1935 on the centenary of Bellini's death, it is unlikely that Bellini ever considered these works as a whole. The collection consists of three main sections. The first is a group of six compositions of varying genres, while the second and third sections contain three and six compositions, respectively, called ariette.
Contents
| Title | Genre | First Line |
|---|---|---|
| La farfaletta | Canzoncina | Farfaletta, aspetta aspetta |
| Quando incise su quel marmo | Scena ed Aria | Questa e valle, il sasso e questo |
| Sogno d'infanzia | Romanza | Soave sogno de' miei primiani |
| L'abbandono | Romanza | Solitario zeffiretto |
| L'allegro marinaro | Ballata | Allor che azzurro il mar Sereno |
| Torna, vezzosa Fillide | Romanza | Torna, vezzosa Fillide |
| Il fervido desiderio | Arietta | Quando verrà quel dì |
| Dolente immagine di Fille mia | Arietta | Dolente immagine di Fille mia |
| Vaga luna, che inargenti Vaga luna, che inargenti "Vaga luna, che inargenti" is an arietta composed by Vincenzo Bellini to an anonymous Italian text. It was published in 1838 by Casa Ricordi in Tre ariette inedite along with two other Bellini songs, "Il fervido desiderio" and "Dolente immagine di Fille mia"... |
Arietta | Vaga luna, che inargenti |
| Malinconia, Ninfa gentile | Arietta | Malinconia, Ninfa gentile |
| Vanne, o rosa fortunata | Arietta | Vanne, o rosa fortunata |
| Bella Nice, che d'amore | Arietta | Bella Nice, che d'amore |
| Almen se non poss'io | Arietta | Almen se non poss'io |
| Per pietà, bell'idol mio | Arietta | Per pietà, bell'idol mio |
| Ma rendi pur contento | Arietta | Ma rendi pur contento |
Style
The general style of these works is more simplistic and tuneful than Bellini's operatic text-setting. While the romanzasRomance (music)
The term romance has a centuries-long history. Applied to narrative ballads in Spain, it came to be used by the 18th century for simple lyrical pieces not only for voice, but also for instruments alone. During the 18th and 19th centuries Russian composers developed the French variety of the...
may contain some dramatic elements, the ariette conform to a song-like melody as in Vaga luna, che inargenti. This famous example is strophic and plainly sung with scant accompaniment. This kind of texture contrasts strikingly against Bellini's melodramatic and emotive arias in operas like Norma
Norma (opera)
Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after Norma, ossia L'infanticidio by Alexandre Soumet. First produced at La Scala on December 26, 1831, it is generally regarded as an example of the supreme height of the bel canto tradition...
.
While these works find few similarities with the operatic style of the early 19th century, it is likely that some folk influence, especially from Bellini's native Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, may have inspired their melodies. The poetry is in most cases anonymous and usually incorporates a folk meter. In response to their romantic theme and florid imagery, Bellini provides restrained and enchanting melodies.
Performance practice
Bellini's Composizioni da Camera have become a recital favorite of many singers. This resurgence of interest in Bellini's non-operatic works may perhaps be contributed (like the growing popularity of Neapolitan songsCanzone Napoletana
Canzone Napoletana, sometimes referred to as Neapolitan song, is a generic term for a traditional form of music sung in the Neapolitan language, ordinarily for the male voice singing solo, although well-represented by female soloists as well, and expressed in familiar genres such as the lover's...
) to performances by singers like Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
. The famous tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
performed five of these songs at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
with James Levine
James Levine
James Lawrence Levine is an American conductor and pianist. He is currently the music director of the Metropolitan Opera and former music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Levine's first performance conducting the Metropolitan Opera was on June 5, 1971, and as of May 2011 he has...
in a 1988 recital. Like Pavarotti, most singers present only certain selections from this work. Similarly, the program order and key of each piece is open to the performer's discretion.
Recordings
- An Italian Songbook, Cecilia BartoliCecilia BartoliCecilia Bartoli is an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano opera singer and recitalist. She is best-known for her interpretation of the music of Mozart and Rossini, as well as for her performances of lesser-known Baroque and classical music...
(mezzo-sopranoMezzo-sopranoA mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
), James LevineJames LevineJames Lawrence Levine is an American conductor and pianist. He is currently the music director of the Metropolitan Opera and former music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Levine's first performance conducting the Metropolitan Opera was on June 5, 1971, and as of May 2011 he has...
(piano), contains "Vaga luna che inargenti", "Per pietà, bell' idol mio", "Farfalletta", "Dolente immagine di fille mia", "Vanne, o rosa fortunata", "Torna vezzosa fillide", "Il fervido desiderio", "Malinconia, ninfa gentile", and "L'abbandono". Label: DeccaDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades.... - Luciano Pavarotti - Live Recital, Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarottiright|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
(tenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
), Leone Magiera (piano), contains "Dolente immagine di fille mia", "Malinconia, ninfa gentile", "Vanne, o rosa fortunata", "Bella Nice, che d'amore" and "Ma rendi pur contento". Label: Decca
Sources
- Elliott, Martha (2006). Singing in style: A guide to vocal performance practices. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300109326
- Paton, John Glenn (2004). Gateway to Italian Songs and Arias: Low Voice, Alfred Music Publishing. ISBN 0739035495
- Sanvitale, Francesco (2002). La romanza italiana da salotto. EDT srl. ISBN 8870636151