Download Program Notes
LOVE, LONGING, AND LAMENT A GRADUATE RECITAL ON COVID-19 EMOTION MARCH 13, 2021 JULIANNA SHAMEL, SOPRANO Program Notes Ball State University, MM Recital “Ah, non credea mirarti…Ah, non giunge” Vincenzo Bellini From La Sonnambula (1801-1835) La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) is an opera semiseria in two acts and premiered to the public in 1831. This aria appears at the end of Act II as Amina is sleep-walking high across an unstable mill bridge after her lover, Elvino, called off their engagement. The melody at the very beginning is a typical Bellini cantilena: elongated and with small intervals without doubling by the instruments. When Amina wakes, and Elvino puts the ring back on her finger after realizing his mistake, the cabaletta (fast second section) begins with a sparse accompaniment, fast leaps, trills, and coloratura. If we relate this piece to our time in quarantine, the slow section may remind you of the drab days inside longing for the life we had. The fast section could be the feelings of reuniting with close family, entering the grocery store, or perhaps just going to Target. Ah,non credea mirarti Ah, I didn't believe I'd see you s ì presto estinto, o fiore; Wither so quickly, oh blossom! passasti al par d'amore, You have faded away just like love, che un giorno solo duro. Which only lasted a day. Potria novel vigore Maybe my tears could il pianto mio recarti Lend you new life, ma ravvivar l'amore But to revive love il pianto mio, ah no, non puo.
[Show full text]