Antonio Vivaldi’s opera, Tito Manlio, composed over the course of 5 days in December of 1718, facilities round a turbulent ethical dilemma. Love and loyalty to household come into battle with responsibility and inflexible adherence to the legislation.
Here’s a transient synopsis, supplied by Naxos.com:
Titus Manlius is engaged in conflict with the individuals of Latium. Conflicts of affection and responsibility come up along with his daughter Vitellia, in love with the Latin commander Geminius, however cherished by the Latin Lucius. Manlius, the son of Titus, kills Geminius, disobeying his father, and is condemned to demise, regardless of the pleas of his beloved Servilia, sister of Geminius. He rejects the provide of Lucius to free him. There may be eventual reconciliation between father and son.
Sonno, se pur sei sonno (“Sleep, in case you are certainly sleep”) is Lucius’ despairing aria from the third act. Expressing exhaustion, he laments his unrequited love for Vitellia. He longs for sleep, which turns into a metaphor for demise, and escape from ache.
The position of Lucius was sung by a soprano castrato. This recording options Magdalena Kožená with Andrea Marcon and the Venice Baroque Orchestra:
Recordings
- Vivaldi: Sonno, se pur sei sonno (Tito Manlio), Magdalena Kožená, Andrea Marcon, Venice Baroque Orchestra Amazon
Featured Picture: “Mânlio Torquato condemns his personal son to demise” (1799), Alexandre-Romain Honnet
