Classical Music: Opera
Jacopo Peri's opera Euridice, with additional music by Giulio Caccini, was first performed in Florence on October 6, 1600, at the Palazzo Pitti with Peri himself singing the role of Orfeo. The libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini is based on books X and XI of Ovid's Metamorphoses which recount the story of the legendary musician Orpheus and his wife Euridice.
Euridice was written for the marriage of King Henry IV of France and Maria de Medici. It should be noted that Caccini wrote his own Euridice even as he supplied music to Peri's opera, in fact published this version before Peri's was performed, in 1600, and got it staged two years later.
Since both the libretto and score were dedicated to Marie de' Medici, the new Queen of France, some scholars have recognized a possible parallel between Euridice and Orfeo and the King and Queen of France. While the comparison is readily made, some scholars argue that the traits of King Henry IV are different from Orfeo, especially with respect to Orfeo's most famous deed of journeying to Hell and back, to unite with his beloved wife.
Here's a video: "Scena I: Vaghe Ninfe Amorose" by Choruses of Hades, Ensemble Arpeggio, Roberto De Caro. Youtube, uploaded by LaPellegrina 1589.
What an awe-inspiring, grandiose music!
Image Credit:
"The Prologue to Euridice,' from the Score published in 1600. en.wikipedia.org / Public Domain. Accessed Oct 6, 2013.
Resources:
(c) October 2009. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
Jacopo Peri Opera Euridice Premieres
Jacopo Peri's opera Euridice, with additional music by Giulio Caccini, was first performed in Florence on October 6, 1600, at the Palazzo Pitti with Peri himself singing the role of Orfeo. The libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini is based on books X and XI of Ovid's Metamorphoses which recount the story of the legendary musician Orpheus and his wife Euridice.
Euridice was written for the marriage of King Henry IV of France and Maria de Medici. It should be noted that Caccini wrote his own Euridice even as he supplied music to Peri's opera, in fact published this version before Peri's was performed, in 1600, and got it staged two years later.
Since both the libretto and score were dedicated to Marie de' Medici, the new Queen of France, some scholars have recognized a possible parallel between Euridice and Orfeo and the King and Queen of France. While the comparison is readily made, some scholars argue that the traits of King Henry IV are different from Orfeo, especially with respect to Orfeo's most famous deed of journeying to Hell and back, to unite with his beloved wife.
Here's a video: "Scena I: Vaghe Ninfe Amorose" by Choruses of Hades, Ensemble Arpeggio, Roberto De Caro. Youtube, uploaded by LaPellegrina 1589.
What an awe-inspiring, grandiose music!
Image Credit:
"The Prologue to Euridice,' from the Score published in 1600. en.wikipedia.org / Public Domain. Accessed Oct 6, 2013.
Resources:
- Hill, John Walter (2005). Baroque Music: Music in Western Europe, 1580-1750. Norton.
- Jacopo, Peri. Opera Euridice. All Music. Description by Brian Robins. Accessed October 6, 2013.
(c) October 2009. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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