Il sogno di Scipione
Encyclopedia
Il sogno di Scipione, K. 126
, is a dramatic serenade in one act (azione teatrale
) composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
to a libretto
by Pietro Metastasio, which is based on the book Somnium Scipionis by Cicero
. Mozart had originally composed the work at the age of 15 for his patron, Prince-Archbishop Sigismund von Schrattenbach. After the bishop’s death before it could be performed, Mozart dedicated it to Schrattenbach's successor, Count Colloredo. It was given a private performance in the Archbishop's Palace in Salzburg
on 1 May 1772
, although not in its entirety. Only one aria
, the final chorus and the recitative
dedicating it to the new Prince-Archbishop were performed. It is highly unlikely that it was ever performed in its entirety in Mozart's lifetime.
presented the U.S. stage premiere of Il sogno di Scipione at the Abrons Arts Center
in New York City
and plan a revival of the work in April 2012 as part of their Tenth Anniversary program.
Judith Weir
's 1991 chamber opera
, Scipio’s Dream, is based on Il sogno di Scipione with an adaptation of the original Metastasio libretto and a re-composition of the score.
Fortuna and Constanza approach the sleeping Scipio and offer to accompany him through life. However, first he has to choose between Fortuna, the provider of the world’s good things, and the reliable, trustworthy Constanza.
Scipio asks for time to think. Neither in his heart nor mind can he take in what has happened, nor can he choose.
Fortuna and Constanza permit him to ask questions: he wants to know where he is. He fell asleep in the kingdom of Massinissa, but now has no idea of where he is. Fortuna tells him that he is in the Temple of Heaven. The magnificent lights are the
stars against the blue background of the universe. He can hear the music of the harmony of the spheres.
Scipio asks who creates this harmony. Constanza replies that the power behind it moves the spheres like strings on a zither, finely tuned by hand and ear. Scipio responds by asking why this sound is inaudible to mortals on earth. Constanza
explains that this is due to the inadequacy of their senses; looking at the sun, they see only the glare, whilst hearing a waterfall, they know nothing of its destructive power. Scipio then asks who dwells in this eternal world. Fortuna indicates an approaching cortege — heroes, his forefathers, Rome’s greatest sons. Scipio sees the dead Publius
and asks if dead heroes live here. Publius assures him that the light of immortality resurrects the body, freeing it from the burden of mortality. He who has thought of, felt for and devoted himself to others will live forever; those who have lived only for themselves are not deserving of immortality. Scipio goes to seek his father. He is delighted to find him, but surprised when it appears that this joy is not mutual. His father Emilio tells him that joy in heaven is complete, because it is not accompanied by suffering; he points to the Earth, small and miserable and covered in cloud, the home of mad misguided people, indifferent to other’s pain.
Aghast at the sight of the Earth, Scipio begs his father to be allowed to remain in the eternal land. However, he is told by Publius that he has a great mission to complete on Earth — to destroy an enemy, after making his choice between Constanza and
Fortuna.
Scipio asks Fortuna what kind of help she can offer him in completing his task. She tells him of her power to destroy and create, to corrupt innocence and empower evil. Who can resist her? Constanza says that only she can bestow the power of loyalty. Fortuna cannot go beyond the limits dictated by Constanza. Virtue can only occasionally be defeated by violence, while evil deeds, unlike good ones, are transient. Fortuna can manage rare strikes, but cannot deprive heroes of hope and faith. Thus Scipio chooses Constanza, braving Fortuna’s anger unafraid, because the eternal kingdom is
dearer to his heart.
Fortuna, furious, calls plagues down as vengeance on Scipio. He however keeps his courage through a foul storm. He reawakes in the kingdom of Massinissa, feeling the presence of Constanza beside him. The moral behind his dream was a hymn of praise to the eternal virtues offered by heaven, a model for all those who believe in God. In the final scene Licenza praises Scipio’s choice and explains that the real protagonist of the play is not Scipio, but the dedicatee — Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus (Girolamo) Graf von Colloredo.
Köchel-Verzeichnis
The Köchel-Verzeichnis is a complete, chronological catalogue of compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart which was originally created by Ludwig von Köchel. It is abbreviated K or KV. For example, Mozart's Requiem in D minor was, according to Köchel's counting, the 626th piece Mozart composed....
, is a dramatic serenade in one act (azione teatrale
Azione teatrale
Azione teatrale is a genre of opera, popular in Italy in the late 17th and 18th centuries...
) composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
to a libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Pietro Metastasio, which is based on the book Somnium Scipionis by Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
. Mozart had originally composed the work at the age of 15 for his patron, Prince-Archbishop Sigismund von Schrattenbach. After the bishop’s death before it could be performed, Mozart dedicated it to Schrattenbach's successor, Count Colloredo. It was given a private performance in the Archbishop's Palace in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
on 1 May 1772
1772 in music
-Events:*Carl Stamitz is resident composer at Versailles.*Dr Charles Burney visits Johann Baptist Vanhal at Vienna.*Ignaz Pleyel becomes a pupil of Joseph Haydn.-Opera:*Pasquale Anfossi – Alessandro nelle Indie...
, although not in its entirety. Only one aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
, the final chorus and the recitative
Recitative
Recitative , also known by its Italian name "recitativo" , is a style of delivery in which a singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech...
dedicating it to the new Prince-Archbishop were performed. It is highly unlikely that it was ever performed in its entirety in Mozart's lifetime.
Performance history
In 1979, Il sogno di Scipione was exhumed for Mozart Week in Salzburg, and given a complete performance. In 2001, Gotham Chamber OperaGotham Chamber Opera
Gotham Chamber Opera is a professional opera company located in New York City, New York, and is a member of Opera America. The company specializes in producing rarely performed chamber operas from the Baroque era to the present. The company was founded in 2000 under the name of the Henry Street...
presented the U.S. stage premiere of Il sogno di Scipione at the Abrons Arts Center
Abrons Arts Center
The Abrons Arts Center is the performing and visual arts program of Henry Street Settlement. It mounts exhibitions and productions in music, dance and theater and provides arts training for children and adults....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and plan a revival of the work in April 2012 as part of their Tenth Anniversary program.
Judith Weir
Judith Weir
Judith Weir CBE, is a British composer.-Biography:Her music has been appreciated by audiences and critics alike. She trained with John Tavener while still at school and subsequently with Robin Holloway at King's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1976...
's 1991 chamber opera
Chamber opera
Chamber opera is a designation for operas written to be performed with a chamber ensemble rather than a full orchestra.The term and form were invented by Benjamin Britten in the 1940s, when the English Opera Group needed works that could easily be taken on tour and performed in a variety of small...
, Scipio’s Dream, is based on Il sogno di Scipione with an adaptation of the original Metastasio libretto and a re-composition of the score.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 1 May 1772 (Conductor: — ) |
|---|---|---|
| Scipione, Scipio Africanus the Younger Scipio Aemilianus Africanus Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus Africanus Numantinus , also known as Scipio Aemilianus or Scipio Africanus the Younger, was a leading general and politician of the ancient Roman Republic... |
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... |
|
| Costanza (Constancy) | soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
|
| Fortuna (Fortune) | soprano | |
| Publio, Scipio Africanus the Elder Scipio Africanus Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus , also known as Scipio Africanus and Scipio the Elder, was a general in the Second Punic War and statesman of the Roman Republic... , Scipio's uncle and adoptive father |
tenor | |
| Emilio (Æmilius), Scipio's father | tenor | |
| La Licenza | soprano | |
| Chorus: Heroes | ||
Synopsis
- Place: North Africa, during the reign of Massinissa, King of Eastern Numidia
- Time: 200 B.C.
Fortuna and Constanza approach the sleeping Scipio and offer to accompany him through life. However, first he has to choose between Fortuna, the provider of the world’s good things, and the reliable, trustworthy Constanza.
Scipio asks for time to think. Neither in his heart nor mind can he take in what has happened, nor can he choose.
Fortuna and Constanza permit him to ask questions: he wants to know where he is. He fell asleep in the kingdom of Massinissa, but now has no idea of where he is. Fortuna tells him that he is in the Temple of Heaven. The magnificent lights are the
stars against the blue background of the universe. He can hear the music of the harmony of the spheres.
Scipio asks who creates this harmony. Constanza replies that the power behind it moves the spheres like strings on a zither, finely tuned by hand and ear. Scipio responds by asking why this sound is inaudible to mortals on earth. Constanza
explains that this is due to the inadequacy of their senses; looking at the sun, they see only the glare, whilst hearing a waterfall, they know nothing of its destructive power. Scipio then asks who dwells in this eternal world. Fortuna indicates an approaching cortege — heroes, his forefathers, Rome’s greatest sons. Scipio sees the dead Publius
and asks if dead heroes live here. Publius assures him that the light of immortality resurrects the body, freeing it from the burden of mortality. He who has thought of, felt for and devoted himself to others will live forever; those who have lived only for themselves are not deserving of immortality. Scipio goes to seek his father. He is delighted to find him, but surprised when it appears that this joy is not mutual. His father Emilio tells him that joy in heaven is complete, because it is not accompanied by suffering; he points to the Earth, small and miserable and covered in cloud, the home of mad misguided people, indifferent to other’s pain.
Aghast at the sight of the Earth, Scipio begs his father to be allowed to remain in the eternal land. However, he is told by Publius that he has a great mission to complete on Earth — to destroy an enemy, after making his choice between Constanza and
Fortuna.
Scipio asks Fortuna what kind of help she can offer him in completing his task. She tells him of her power to destroy and create, to corrupt innocence and empower evil. Who can resist her? Constanza says that only she can bestow the power of loyalty. Fortuna cannot go beyond the limits dictated by Constanza. Virtue can only occasionally be defeated by violence, while evil deeds, unlike good ones, are transient. Fortuna can manage rare strikes, but cannot deprive heroes of hope and faith. Thus Scipio chooses Constanza, braving Fortuna’s anger unafraid, because the eternal kingdom is
dearer to his heart.
Fortuna, furious, calls plagues down as vengeance on Scipio. He however keeps his courage through a foul storm. He reawakes in the kingdom of Massinissa, feeling the presence of Constanza beside him. The moral behind his dream was a hymn of praise to the eternal virtues offered by heaven, a model for all those who believe in God. In the final scene Licenza praises Scipio’s choice and explains that the real protagonist of the play is not Scipio, but the dedicatee — Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus (Girolamo) Graf von Colloredo.
Musical numbers
- Overtura
- Recitativo Fortuna, Costanza, Scipione: Vieni e segui i mici passi
- No. 1 Aria Scipione: Risolver non osa
- Recitativo Costanza, Fortuna: Giusta é la tua richiesta
- No. 2 Aria Fortuna: Lieve sono al par del vento
- Recitativo Scipione, Costanza, Fortuna: Dunque ove son?
- No. 3 Aria Costanza: Ciglio che al sol si gira
- Recitativo Scipione, Fortuna, Costanza: E quali abitatori
- No. 4 Coro: Germe di cento eroi
- Recitativo Scipione, Publio: Numi, e vero o m'inganno?
- No. 5 Aria Publio: Se vuoi che te raccolgano
- Recitativo Scipione, Fortuna, Costanza, Publio, Emilio: Se qui vivon gli eroi
- No. 6 Aria Emilio: Voi colaggiu ridete
- Recitativo Scipione, Fortuna, Costanza, Publio, Emilio: Publio, padre, ah lasciate
- No. 7 Aria Publio: Quercia annosa su l'erte pendici
- Recitativo Scipione, Costanza, Fortuna, Publio, Emilio: Giacche al voler de' fati
- No. 8 Aria Fortuna: A chi serena io miro
- Recitativo Scipione, Costanza: E a si enorme possanza
- No. 9 Aria Costanza: Biancheggia in mar lo scoglio
- Recitativo Scipione, Fortuna: Non più, bella Costanza
- No. 10 Aria Scipione: Di' che se l'arbitra del mondo intero
- Recitativo accompagnato Fortuna, Scipione: E v'è mortal che ardisca
- Recitativo La Licenza: Non è Scipio
- No. 11a Aria La Licenza: Ah, perchè cercar degg'io
- No. 12 Coro: Cento volte con lieto sembiante
External links
- Il sogno di Scipione: Libretto