Lucio Silla

Lucio Silla (K. 135) is an Italian opera in three acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1772. The booklet was written by Giovanni de Gamerra. The first representation took place in Milan on December 26th, 1772.

Another opera with the same title was composed in 1774 by Pasquale Anfossi.

Roles

Synopsis

The subject of the opera is the Roman dictator Lucio Silla who covets Giunia, the girl of its Marius enemy. Giunia, on its side, loves the senator exiled Cecilio.

Act I

Cecilio, a Roman senator, formerly exiled by Lucio Silla, turns over in its country to join its liked well Giunia. His/her friend Cinna announces to him that it is promised in marriage to Lucio Silla, dictator of the country. Convinced that its liked good died like his/her father of the hand of the dictator, Giunia cries its loss. It pushes back the advances of Lucio Silla, saying to him that it will never marry the tyrant responsible for died for his father and promised in marriage sound. At the time of its daily visit on the tomb of her father, it meets Cecilio.

Act II

Aufidio, a Roman powerful orator, advises in Lucio Silla to try to obtain the support of the Roman senate in its attempt to marry Giunia. He believes that the young girl will yield under the pressure of the senators. Lucio Silla wants to make sure the support of Celia; for that he promises the hand of sound promised in marriage to him Cinna. Cecilio is decided to kill Lucio Silla but Cinna retains it, explaining why prudence is of rigor in order not to be likely death before to have obtained revenge. In a conversation with Giunia, Cinna reveals the intentions of Lucio Silla and sugg `Re which it makes pretense accept to kill it itself at the convenient period. Giunia, however, hates fraud and treason, and decides to reject Lucio Silla openly. At the time when Giunia threatens to be killed with a Cecilio dagger arrives at its help. They are both imprisoned.

Act III

Giunia arrives at the prison to say goodbye to its been engaged. She wishes to die with him. Giunia desperate, is convinced that its been engaged will be carried out. Lucio Silla proclaims its verdict with the Roman people and the senate: Cecilio must be released and it is authorized to marry Giunia. Disconcerted by the magnanimity of Lucio Silla, Cinna acknowledges that it was plotting against him. Silla forgives him and says that it can marry Celia. It removes its crown and gives up the dictatorship. Having concluded that the magnanimity is a good larger than the capacity, it releases all the political prisoners and gives freedom to the Roman people.

Numbers

Act 1

n° 1 " Vieni ov' amor you invita" - Cinna
n° 2 " It tenero momento" - Cecilio
n° 3" Speme" will be lusinghiera; - Celia
n° 4 " Sponda tenebrosa" paved; - Giunia
n° 5 " It desio di vendetta" - Silla
n° 6 " Fuor di queste ballot box dolenti" Chorus and arioso - Giunia
n° 7 " D' Elisio in SEN me attendi" Duet - Giunia-Cecilio

Act 2

n° 8 " Warrior che of a acciaro" - Aufidio
n° 9" Quest' improvviso tremito" - Cecilio
n° 10 " It labbro timido" - Celia
n° 11 " Ah it crudel periglio" - Giunia
n° 12 " Nel fortunato istante" - Cinna
n° 13 " Of ogni pietà semi spoglio" - Silla
n° 14 " Ah has morir" - Cecilius
n° 15 " Quando sugl'arsi campi" - Celia
n° 16 " Parto, me affretto" - Giunia
n° 17 " Gloria it hair Ti cinse " - Chorus
n° 18 " Quell' orgoglioso sdegno" Trio - Silla-Cecilio-Giunia

Act 3

n° 19 " Strider sento the procella" - Celia
n° 20 " Of più superbi it core" - Cinna
n° 21 " Pupil amate" - Cecilio
n° 22 " FRA I pensier" - Giunia
n° 23 " It gran Silla" Finale

Recordings

1975 Hager with P. Schreier, A. Augér, H. Donath, E. Mathis, J. Varady, and W. Krenn. Salzburg Mozart Orchestrated.
1985 Cambreling with A. Rolfe-Johnson, L. Cuberli, A. Murray, C. Barbaux, A. van Baasbank. National opera of Brussels.
1989 Harnoncourt with P. Schreier, E. Gruberova, C. Bartoli, D. Upshaw, and Y. Kenny. Vienna Concentus Musicus.

References

Bertrand Demoncourt (to dir.), Dictionary Mozart , Robert Laffont, coll Books, Paris, 2005 (ISBN 2-221-10437-4) ;
Jean and Brigitte Massin, Mozart , Beech, coll the Essential ones of the music, Paris, 1990;
Guide of the operas of Mozart, directed by Brigitte Massin, Beech, Paris, 1991.

External bonds

Booklet

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