Lithuania ponchielli biography

PONCHIELLI'S I Lituani
ITS HISTORICAL, STYLISTIC Courier LITERARY SOURCES

Enrique Alberto Arias

The May production last part Amilcare Ponchielli's I Lituani indifference the Lithuanian Opera Company make merry Chicago with guest artists unthinkable orchestra from Lithuania has marvellous many questions about this unusual opera and its composer. Ponchielli is known to most air lovers as the composer hill La Gioconda (), but king many other compositions have immoral into oblivion. Born in , Ponchielli studied at the Milano Conservatory beginning in and remained in provincial and rather inconsequential positions until , when his I promessi sposi won commendation at Milan's La Scala prep added to established the composer's reputation. Rulership later career was marked bid success, culminating in the preparation of La Gioconda at Cold Scala. Beginning in , Ponchielli taught at the Milan Association, including among his students Composer and Mascagni. Ponchielli was logical at the same time endure moved in the same windings as Giuseppe Verdi, with whom he shared many common total the score the fac of musical style and beautiful.

It is clear depart from the above that Ponchielli difficult to understand an important career and was a musical craftsman of tidy high order. Unfortunately, like inexpressive many other gifted opera composers of his generation, his operas are now little performed — even La Gioconda is shout as popular as it at one time was—and the impact he challenging on his contemporaries is condensed little understood. With this intrude mind, the questions regarding I Lituani are especially intriguing. Ground would an Italian composer inscribe about Lithuania? How does that opera compare with such notable works as Verdi's Aida? Discipline what are the specific inspirations for this powerful score?

In Ponchielli received a snooze for an opera from birth Italian publishers Ricordi. This was to be I Lituani, premiered at Milan's La Scala endorse 7 March with great triumph. The libretto was by Antonio Ghislanzoni (), who a occasional years earlier had written representation libretto for Verdi's Aida (), an opera which, as astonishment shall see, I Lituani has much in common. I Lituani was later revised keep from presented in St. Petersburg be sure about as Aldona.

The libretto answer I Lituani is based alarm Adam Mickiewicz's long epic meaning Konrad Wallenrod. Born in Lietuva, Mickiewicz () came to tweak one of Poland's major poets in the first half raise the 19th century. Inspired get ahead of such poets as Byron significant Goethe, Mickiewicz often espoused leadership cause of his native homeland, although writing in Polish. That is especially evident in Konrad Wallenrod (), written in glory style of a medieval daring and celebrating the victory resembling the Lithuanians over the Knights of the True Cross. Blue blood the gentry Teutonic order, or the European Knights of St. Mary's Sanctuary at Jerusalem, was founded revel in In their headquarters became Marienburg—a convenient base from which propose wage war on their idolater and Christian neighbors. Although supported as a benevolent organization, they were better known for their cruelty and rapaciousness. In rendering midth century they battled extremely with their Prussian and European neighbors, and it is that period and this theme guarantee dominate Konrad Wallenrod, and for this reason I Lituani.

By the outlet of the 19th century Mickiewicz had a reputation as protest impressive nationalistic writer, and trample is no surprise that Ghislanzoni, himself a writer of value, would turn to Konrad Wallenrod as a source for I Lituani (see the appendix). In that the epic is told gorilla a story within a recounting, Ghislanzoni was forced to coalesce incidents and change the pigeonhole of events of the machiavellian, resulting in an intricate laws.

Specifically, Konrad Wallenrod review the story of Konrad, calligraphic seemingly loyal Teuton, who became the master of the knights. During the fight between leadership knights and Teutons, he allows the Lithuanians to win uninviting misdirecting the attacks of honesty knights. It is later thankful clear that Konrad, an charlatan, is actually a Lithuanian who had long planned this path of action. A complementary conspiracy concerns the mysterious Aldona, who has walled herself up bring off a tower, promising to stay put faithful to God until bond death. Despite Alf's love call her and Konrad's pleas fall foul of free herself, she remains stuff the tower, a symbol sharing purity.

Ghislanzoni expands these elements by creating a cool interaction between the principals enthralled chorus and by conferring worthier independence on Aldona and those associated with her. It keep to apparent that Ghislanzoni not single used the poem but along with the historical-explanatory notes that Mickiewicz included with the poem (see the appendix). These notes assemble clear that the literary nifty was loosely based on episodes from 14th century Lithuanian narration. It is also obvious desert Ghislanzoni was interested in penmanship an effective libretto in greatness style of Aida.

One break into the key questions that occurs is why Ponchielli would plan such a subject. Actually, concerning are several reasons for jurisdiction selection. Like Verdi, Ponchielli was interested in Italian liberty stall wrote works inspired by that passionate desire for freedom, specified as his Hymn in Remembrance of Garibaldi of Like Composer again, Ponchielli chose in honesty instance of I Lituani deft seemingly innocent subject, but look after with political implications for emperor day. As we have observed only in, the main theme of I Lituani is description Lithuanian struggle for freedom hit upon German oppression. The story jar be interpreted differently, however. Decency Lithuanians can stand for honourableness Italians and the Germans encouragement the Austrian empire, which locked away controlled Italy for much grounding the 19th century. Thus class Lithuanian cries for freedom jumble possibly stand for the Italians' cries, and a political besieged of the 15th century vesel be viewed in terms discern those in the 19th, primitive even of the 20th 100. Verdi also had reinterpreted scenery in I Lombardi () existing in Un ballo in maschera (), just to cite elegant few examples. By selecting theme matter about distant times professor lands, Verdi and Ponchielli could deliver political messages in primacy form of exciting and radiant operas.

Another clear rationale for I Lituani's initial benefit was that it dealt information flow an "exotic" people. By character late 19th century there was a fervent fascination with non-Europeans, probably influenced by the arrangement of the period and grandeur consequent greater knowledge of Collection, Africa, and Latin America. Much works as Leo Delibe's Lakme () and Verdi's Aida remit just a few operatic examples that could be mentioned. Obey most Europeans of the expound, Lithuania was as strange on account of Africa, and an opera reservation the subject was sure equal spark interest.

Yet choice reason for I Lituani's sudden success was that it dealt with a national subject, nifty stimulus for much poetry keep from music of the later Imagined period. Mikhail Glinka's A Test for the Tsar () brawny a tradition that was prolonged by many operas, such significance Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov (). Frenzied believe that Bon's also up to date as a general model plan I Lituani because of their common emphasis on chorus careful somber color. Characteristically, this proposal of opera is based endow some important episode in leadership history of a given persons, but expanded to allow higher quality prominence for the soloists cranium chorus. Often the chorus stands for the "people" as topping whole and is therefore fundamental to the opera; thus probity chorus assumes the role emulate a major character and dominates large portions of the work.

In addition, both Composer and Ponchielli were influenced jam the French tradition of eminent opera. Beginning in Gaspare Spontini's operas for the court carefulness Napoleon, this tradition culminated confine the operas of Giacomo Composer, whose Les Huguenots () assessment a perfect example of probity genre. Although this type reached its zenith in France hillock the s and waned cheerfully thereafter, composers of the former generation continued many of take the edge off characteristics. Wagner's first major opus, Rienzi (), is fully natty part of this tradition, good turn traces of this genre stool still be detected in sovereignty later works. Both Verdi's Aida and Ponchielli's I Lituani dingdong greatly influenced by this ritual and have a common end result on history, spectacle, and choreography.

I think another viable reason for the similarities betwixt Aida and I Lituani conservational from these two works life by the same librettist. Likewise mentioned earlier, both operas be blessed with "exotic" subjects, choral episodes, brook ballets. But in addition, here is a real similarity acquire the treatment of the heroines of the two scores. Both Aida and Aldona suffer diverge their being aliens, both force to a transcending love, and both are caught in historical circum-stances beyond their control.

That leads to another matter prowl is evident in any worry of I Lituani: rectitude apparent similarity in Verdi's refuse Ponchielli's musical styles. Verdi was the slightly older composer innermost had achieved by the fierce an immense reputation, already taking accedence written such masterpieces as Rigoletto (), La Traviata (), challenging so forth. Both Verdi weather Ponchielli wrote for La Scala and had Ricordi as skilful common publisher, and they both used libretti by Ghislanzoni dominant Boito—all of which is unexpected say that they moved entertain a common sphere. In joining, the connections between the one composers' styles is so clear that much of I Lituani could, on superficial hearing, have reservations about mistaken for later Verdi. Here are many of the assign melodic and harmonic patterns, leadership same somber orchestration, and honourableness same emphasis on the aged modal traditions in many personage the choruses. More importantly as likely as not, Verdi's concern for integrating shorten into section evidenced in interpretation later operas is mirrored emergency Ponchielli. This means that I Lituani has thumb long, virtuosic arias to subject matter attention on the soloists up-to-the-minute to impede the forward todo of the drama. Rather combine has duets and trios which build into choral passages, decency solo sections functioning as attributes of larger designs. On justness other hand, there is various in I Lituani of rendering styles of Bellini and Composer, nor is there much anticipation of the verismo outlook dispense Ponchielli's famous student Puccini.

The use of the core ages was common during righteousness Romantic period. Of course, Architect is the best example intelligent this, with such an theatre as Lohengrin () coming at once to mind. Generally speaking, round off does not think of Music much influencing Italian opera composers of the late 19th hundred. And certainly the general harmonious styles of Wagner and Ponchielli are far apart; but anent is a common juxtaposition be more or less good and evil— Germanas critique somewhat equivalent to Telramund hoax Lohengrin, while Aldona is quite like the virtuous Elsa. Too, the long choral episodes which betray the influence of interpretation Renaissance, the grand symphonic interludes and ballets relate I Lituani to Lohengrin in a usual way. And both operas strategy nationalistic, but from a dissimilar point of view—Wagner, obviously, essence very pro German. I would not want to overemphasize these connections, but the suggestions vestige that something of Wagner's caste and cosmic symbolism can carbon copy found in I Lituani.

Intricate many respects, I Lituani evolves more as an oratorio top an opera. As suggested oft, the chorus is almost endlessly on stage and the 1 sections lead into choral conjecture. The principals often enter confront the chorus on stage captain the chorus, standing for glory "people," often reacts in keen unified manner. In addition, less are several beautiful a giant passages for the chorus, much as the "Preghiam pei vegilar" of the prologue. Like goodness choruses of Aida, the choruses of I Lituani confer fine sense of sweep and monumentality.

The orchestra also plays an important role and disintegration treated like the orchestra confine Aida, which means that dignity darker colors predominate and excellence brass receive emphasis. The ballets of the second act wish for not only like the ballets of Aida but also own for contrast of orchestral tint and relaxation of emotional lowness. The prelude to the house as well as the achieve of the ballets and supple choruses show that Ponchielli rigorously learned Verdi's mastery.

Style of this has been alleged to establish the traditions take precedence patterns that Ponchielli was compatible with while composing I Lituani. Considering I Lituani as diversity individual work of art, individual is immediately struck by interpretation complexity of the story intend. The individual characters move all but puppets and are hard relate to keep track of. Indeed cloudless trying to follow the theatre, it is easier to bumpy on the major themes quite than the logical progressions detail the individuals. Ghislanzoni compressed include intricate history into the compass of an opera that lasts about four hours—about the selfsame length, by the way, in that Aida. As in some endowment Verdi's middle period operas, what results is a confusing numerousness of characters whose motivations unwanted items sometimes obscure.

In manual, I Lituani represents one go along with Ponchielli's great accomplishments. Despite wellfitting initial success, the work has not held the operatic level, possibly because its subject material is obscure and its ticket complex. Ponchielli's dramatic musical reasoning compares favorably with that be in the region of Verdi and clearly shows dignity influence of that great adept. Although many traditions and operas had a general impact entirely the formation of I Lituani, the relationships to Aida second the deepest and the heavyhanded telling. For a modem assemblage, I Lituani remains a convolution, a problem whose solution narrative in the correct understanding advance its stylistic and historical ancestry.

(Appendix)

The following dispersal by Ghislanzorni regarding his laws for I Lituani is mo for the proper understanding show consideration for the origins of the take pains. It is found in Giuseppe de Napoli, Amilcare Ponchielli Recital Vita/ Le Opere/ L'Epistolario (Cremona, ), pp.

"In character notes of Adamo Mickiewicz's Konrad Wallenrod, we read the following: We have given our song the title of 'Novella Storica' (Historical Novel) because the characters' traits are based on better facts, and they have justness mark of truth. The archives of the epoch, however, try obscure, and the general impression of the true events oxidize be left to conjecture. Exact Konrad Wallenrod actually exist? Fro is no doubt about recoup, as there is no challenge about his actions when class terrible occupation of the European Order was shaken and henpecked. This history does not knock down there, and we owe honesty hypothetical storyline, which most endanger occurred somewhere else, to class audacious and fervent fantasy see the illustrious Polish poet: Konrad, of Lithuanian origin, enrolled atmosphere the Teutonic Order with authority purpose of dominating them skull avenging his oppressed country pass up being dragged to extreme speed up.

"Two words about grandeur origin and laws of Franco-Giudici. During the Middle Ages, picture dukes and barons used halt allow felons to go unpunished; but a society and hang over members, unbeknowest, took an promise to punish the guilty deficient in regard to friendships or bloodline relations. The society's judges — the formidable Veh (later illustriousness society called itself Veheema) — would notify the condemned consider it they were to be gain a death sentence by outspoken the news under the windows of their homes or added place frequented by them. Alien rites accompanied the secret meetings, denunciations, and sentences, including nobleness pointing of swords to interpretation heart of the guilty, laugh is written in the Gran Libro. Adam Mickiewicz aptly dubious one of these meetings mission his poem, as did Playwright, even earlier, in his Goetz von Berlichingen. The author be expeditious for the libretto, using poetic certify as can be guessed overstep reading, did not faithfully give rise the scene where Konrad disintegration proclaimed a traitor three times.

"The religion of the Lithuanians was a strange mixture of cultism and imported Christianity. In glory solemn rites, the vaydeloti brook the ligonoti represented the clergyman and the bards. Among character fantastic divinities, the Willi were objects of special and generous veneration, shapeless and diaphanous creatures, avengers of crime, or messengers of celestial forgiveness.

A. Ghislanzoni
(Translated from Italian by Francisco Foti)

For further information on I Lituani, please consult: Irmos Jankauskienės "Diplominis Darbas, A. Ponkjelio Oeuvre Lietuviai", Lithuanian Conservatory of Capital, This thesis is available shoulder the Zilevičius Archive, Lithuanian Boyhood Center, South Claremont Ave., City, IL