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2008 Honors in Music Program Notes

Giovanni Battista Bononcini (1672–1750): Griselda, Per la Gloria

Per la Gloria was written for the opera Griselda. Bononcini actually wrote Griselda after Scarlatti had already written a similar opera with the same title. Per la Gloria, is an aria sung by Gualtiero, a mezzo or castrato. Gualtiero is the King of Sicily, who is married to Griselda. The king’s political opponent forces Griselda, who is from a humble birth, and Gualtiero to get divorced. Gualtiero then agrees to marry a princess from Puglia. Once the princess arrives, the king realizes that she is his long lost daughter. The king’s political opponent, Rambaldo, is denounced and Griselda and Gualtiero are reunited. This story line was also used in several other operas.

Bononcini trained as a cellist in Bologna. He wrote several operas that were received well in London. Bononcini might have been one of the most understated composers of the baroque era. Translation of text: For the glory of adoring you I want to love you, O dear eyes. Loving I will suffer, But always I will love you, Yes, yes, in my suffering, I will suffer, I will love you, Dear eyes. Without hope of delight, Vain affection It is to sigh, But your sweet rays Who could ever gaze upon And not, and not love you? I will suffer, I will love you, Dear eyes!
Valerie Mueller

Antonio Caldara (1670–1736): La costanza in amore vince I’inganno, Alma del Core

Alma del Core is a baroque piece written for the opera La costanza in amore vince I’inganno, translated as Faithfulness in Love Defeats Treachery. The opera was written in 1710 for a public theatre in Rome. Alma del Core is about the love between Clizia, the female singer, and her love Tirsi. This piece is contrary to much of the futile love themes that were popular in the baroque era. 

Caldara was born in Venice. His father was a violinist and Antonio followed in his footsteps when he first became a choirboy at the Basilica of San Marco. Later on he studied cello music as well as vocal music. Translation of text: Soul of my heart, spirit of my soul. Always faithful, I will love you. I will love you. To be content, do not torture me. How I will kiss your beautiful upturned lips.
Valerie Mueller

Henry Purcell (1659–1695): The Indian Queen, I Attempt from Love’s Sickness

I Attempt from Love’s Sickness is an aria from the libretto The Indian Queen. In the libretto, there is a war going on between the Peruvians and the Mexicans. This piece shows the emotion of the Queen as she sings it after she hears from the aerial spirits. The Indian Queen was written by Purcell up until his death and was later finished by his brother Thomas Purcell.

During the baroque era, it was common to embellish and ornament music. I Attempt from Love’s Sickness is a great example of the ornamentation done in this music period. This piece also has an ostinato bass accompaniment which is a common practice in baroque music. Henry Purcell was one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period and one of the greatest of all English composers. Theatre music written by Purcell consists of songs and instrumental pieces for spoken plays, but late in his life he collaborated on five ‘semi-operas.’ Purcell’s only completed opera was Dido and Aeneas.
Valerie Mueller

Robert Schumann (1810–1856): Frauenliebe Und Leben

Seit ich ihn gesehen
Er, der Herrlichste von allen
Du Ring an meinem Finger

The song cycle Frauenliebe Und Leben tells the story of a women falling in love. The song cycle is eight pieces and is based on poems from Adelbert von Chamisso. The eight poems tell a story from the protagonist perspective. First, the song cycle starts when she meets her love, then it follows them through their marriage, and ends with the death of her love.

Schumann was one of the most famous composers of the romantic era. He dreamed of becoming a virtuoso pianist, but due to carpal tunnel syndrome he focused on composing. He was one of the main composers of lieder; also know as art songs or European romantic music songs. 
Translation for Seit ich ihn gesehen: Since I have seen him, I believe I am blind; Whither I am looking, I see him alone; Like in a waking dream, his image floats before me, Rising from deepest darkness, brighter and brighter. Everything else around me is light and colorless, The games of my sisters I want to share no more, I would rather weep silently in my little chamber; Since I have seen him, I believe I am blind. 
Translation for Er, der Herrlichste von allen: He, the most glorious of all, How kind he is, how good! Gentle mouth, clear eyes, Clear mind and firm courage, Even as in yonder blue depth, Shines bright and glorious that star, So is he in my heaven, Bright and glorious, sublime and far.

Wander, wander along your course, Only to look at your light, Only to look at it humbly, Only to be blissful and sad! Do not hear my silent prayer, Offered for you happiness; You must not know me, humble maiden, Noble star of glory! Only the worthiest of all May your choice make happy, And I will bless the noble one, Many thousand times. I shall rejoice and I shall weep then, Blissful, blissful I am then, Even though my heart should break, Break, o heart, what does it matter?

Translation for Du Ring an meinem Finger: You ring on my finger, My little golden ring, I press you devoutly to my lips, Devoutly to my heart. My dream had come to an end, Childhood’s peaceful, lovely dream, I found myself lonely and lost In empty, infinite space. You ring on my finger, You taught me only then, You opened to my eyes, Life’s infinite, deep value. I want to serve him, live for him, Wholly belong to him, Give myself and find myself Transfigured in his splendor.
Valerie Mueller

Samuel Barber (1910–1981): Sure on This Shining Night

This contemporary art song was composed by Samuel Barber, but the lyrics use the text from the poem, Permit Me Voyage, by James Agee. The lyrics describe the beauty and tranquility of night, which are reflected in the musical composition. Barber’s compositions are often characterized by long melodic lines, a trait that is well shown in this song. The song is written to enhance the idea of word painting. Sure on This Shining Night was written for his sister, Sara. 

Samuel Barber often never stuck to one type of composing, he wrote however he wanted to. Barber distinguished himself as a melodist. Almost everything he wrote has at least one gorgeous tune or memorable theme.
Valerie Mueller

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791): Le Nozze de Figaro, Voi, che sapete

This aria was written for the opera Le Nozze de Figaro, translated as The Marriage of Figaro. The song Voi, che sapete is sung by a mezzo playing a page boy name Cherubino, otherwise known as a “pants” role. Cherubino is singing this song to the countess whom he has fallen in love with. Meanwhile, the count is trying to have an affair with Susanna, Figaro’s bride. Susanna, the Countess, and Cherubino then devise a plan to trick the Count when he is trying to cheat on the Countess. In the end of the opera, Figaro and Susanna get married and the Count apologizes to the Countess for his behavior. 

Mozart was child prodigy; he started composing at the age of five. The music written by Mozart was often joyous and almost raucous, and yet he could also write melodies with a sort of simple and haunting beauty. Mozart could write songs of almost any genre with ease. Unfortunately, Mozart did not live a long life nor could he manage his money; therefore, he is buried in an unmarked grave. Translation for Voi, che sapete: You, who know, what love is, Look to see, if it is in the heart, Look to see, if it is in the heart. When I am provocative, I want to you reciprocate, It for me is new I don’t understand. I feel affection, Full of desire, First I am delighted, then I am in pain. Freezing cold, then I feel warm, and in a moment in returns to the cold. Looking for someone good out with me, I don’t know who has it, I don’t know what it is. I sigh and groan without wanting to, Throb and tremble without knowing why. Not finding a peaceful night nor day, but my pleasure fades like this. You who know, what love is, Look to see, If it is in the heart, Look to see if it is in the heart, Look to see if it is in the heart.
Valerie Mueller

Gian-Carlo Menotti (1911–2007): The Consul, Lullaby

This contemporary song was written for the opera, The Consul. The Consul is about the struggle of a freedom fighting family during the 1950’s that has been overtaken by a corrupt government. John has to escape from the country before he is killed. Magda and Mother have to stay, but pray that they can get a visa to leave the country. In the opera, the son of Magda and John is very sick. Lullaby is the song that the son’s grandma sings to him one night as he falls asleep. The child later dies in his sleep. 

The song, Lullaby, is filled with suggestive meanings throughout the piece. Certain parts become dramatic due to the euphemisms are used to suggest the baby is dying rather than sleeping. Lullaby is an emotional piece filled with unique ways, including word painting, of telling the listener what is going on in the story.
Valerie Mueller