Sosarme
Sosarme, re di Media (Sosarmes, King of Media; HWV 30) is an opera by George Frideric Handel written for the Royal Academy of Music (1719). The text was based on an earlier libretto by Antonio Salvi, Dionisio, Re di Portogallo (Dionisius, King of Portugal), and adapted by an unknown writer. Composed in 1732, the original setting of Portugal was changed to Sardis in Lydia. It was revived in 1734 with arias from Riccardo Primo. The first revival since 1734 was in 1970 at Abingdon, UK.[1]
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[edit] Critical appreciation
Winton Dean has commented on dramatic weaknesses of the work, including the delayed entrance of Sosarme in the story and his minimal influence on the plot's action, and weak character development. He has also acknowledged the quality of musical inspiration within these limitations.[1] [2]
[edit] Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, ? (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Sosarme | alto castrato | Senesino |
| Erenice | soprano | Anna Bagnolesi |
| Argone, son of Sosarme | alto castrato | Campioli |
| Melo | contralto | Francesca Bertolli |
| Altomaro, counsellor to Sosarme | bass | Antonio Montagnana |
| Elmira, beloved of Sosarme | soprano | Anna Maria Strada |
| Haliate | tenor | Giovanni Pinacci |
[edit] Recordings
- L'Oiseau Lyre OL 50091-3 (original LP issue): Alfred Deller, Margaret Ritchie, Helen Watts, William Herbert, Ian Wallace, Nancy Evans, John Kentish; St. Anthony Singers; Saint Cecilia Orchestra; Anthony Lewis, conductor[2] [3]
- Virgin Classics, 2007 - Fernando, re di Castiglia, the original version of Sosarme - 0946 3 65483 2 6 : Alan Curtis, conductor
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Dean, Winton (2006), Handel's Operas, 1726-1741, Boydell Press, ISBN 1843832682 The second of the two volume definitive reference on the operas of Handel
