Chapter 14

Classical Vocal Music

I like an aria to fit a singer as perfectly as a

well-tailored suit of clothes.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in
a letter to his father, February
28, 1778

Haydns Vocal Music

Opera was important part of activity at Esterhzy palace
Empress Maria Theresa said, if I want to hear a good

opera, I go to Esterhzy.
Today his operas are all but forgotten
Composed twelve Masses; last six, composed between
1796 and 1802 are crowning achievements
Missa in Angustiis (Mass in Time of Peril) is also known
as the Lord Nelson Mass
Composed in 1798 commemorating naval victory over
Napoleon
Haydn also composed oratorios; best known is The
Creation, which depicts creation of the world

Classical Opera
Greatest opera composer of era was Mozart
Opera seria (serious opera)

Idomeneo, 1781

Opera buffa (comic opera)

Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro),
1786
Don Giovanni, 1787
Cosi fan tutti (Thus do they all), 1790
Singspiel (German Opera)

Die Entfhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction

from the Seraglio), 1782
Die Zauberflte (The Magic Flute), 1791

The Marriage of Figaro

Based on French play by Beaumarchais,

first produced in 1782

Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Original plot was controversial mocked
aristocracy
Mozart and da Ponte turn it into intricate
and amusing story involving a pair of
lovers, intrigues between servant and
master, discovered identity, and a few
unlikely coincidences

The Marriago of Figaro

Cast of Characters
Count Almaviva, Spanish nobleman, baritone
Countess Almaviva, his wife, soprano
Susanna, the countess maid, soprano
Figaro, the counts servant, bass
Cherubino, counts page (soprano singing role of teenage

boy)
Marcellina, housekeeper, soprano
Bartolo, a doctor from Seville, bass
Basilio, music teacher, tenor
Don Curzio, lawyer, tenor
Barbarina, daughter of Antonio, soprano
Antonio, the Counts gardener, Susannas uncle, bass
Chorus of country people and peasants

Listening Guide
Non pi andrai (No more will you), from Le
Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Mozart
Italian text

A - Non pi andrai, farfallone amoroso

notte e giorno dintorno girando;
delle belle turbando il riposo,
Narcisetto, Adocino damor.
B Non pi avrai questi bei pennacchini,
quell cappello egiero e galante,
quella chioma, quellaria brillante,
quell vermiglio, donnesco color.
Repeat of A section

Listening Guide:
Non pi andrai (No more will you), from Le
Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
(cont.)
Tra guerrieri proffer Baco!
gran mustacchi, stretto sacco,
schioppo in spalla, sciabla al fianco,
coll dritto, muso franco,
o un gran casco, un gran turbante,
molto onor, poco contante,
ed invece del fandango,
una Marcia per il fango.
Per montange, per valloni,
colle nevi e I sollioni,
Al concerto di tromboni,
di bombarde, di cannone,
che le pale in tutti tuoni
all orecchiofan fischiar.
A repeats
Cherubino alla vittoria, alla gloria militar!

Listening Guide: Crudel! Perch finora

(Cruel one! Why until now) from Le Nozze
di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Mozart
Duet for baritone (Count Almaviva) and

soprano (Susanna)
Through-composed
Listen for many repetitions of S and
No

Listening Guide: Crudel! Perch finora

(Cruel one! Why until now?) from Le
Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Mozart
Count Susanna Count Susanna Count Susanna Count Susanna -

Crudel! Perch finora

farmi languir cosi?
Signor, la donna ognora
tempo ha di dir di si.
Dunque in giardin verrai?
Se place a vio, verr.
E non mi mancherai?
No, non vi mancher.
Mi sent dal contento
Pieno del gioia il cor.
(Scusatemi se mento,
voi che intendente amor)