Rossini's "Alfin l'eroe da forte" (Gas., Merr., Pal., Zimm.)

Added: Jul 22, 2008

From: LindoroRossini

Duration: 10:38

We finish the second section of ensembles with a finale from the First Act of "Ermione". To avoid any confusion, here is the list of singers and their respective roles: Ermione - Cecilia Gasdia, Andromaca - Margarita Zimmermann, Pirro - Ernesto Palacio, Oreste - Chris Merritt, Pilade - William Matteuzzi, Fenicio - Simone Alaimo, Attalo - Mario Bolognesi, Cleone - Elisabetta Tandura. Unlike the previous finale, "Ermione" has a rather undramatical first act finale. It's written in the classical form: chorus - scene - andante - scene - stretta. It's actually very effective but it's not close to what we get in the original finale of "La donna del lago", although it is quite enjoyable. Well, here goes nothing: 1. 0:00 - 1:01, "Alfin l'eroe da forte", the opening chorus praising Pirro's decision to wed Ermione. The piece actually has two repeats of the chorus with short phrases ("What are these voices") for Oreste and Ermione who have been sharing a personal moment just before the entrance of the chorus. 2. 1:01 - 2:40, transitional passage as Pirro informs Ermione and the other participants of the drama of his intentions to marry Ermione and to let Andromacha's son be killed for vengeance's sake. 3. 2:40 - 5:40. "Sperar... Temer... Poss'io". The one truly inspired part of the finale, the classic suspension over time details each characters feelings at hearing the news: Ermione relishes the return of her lover, while Oreste laments the loss of Ermione; Andromacha, not wanting to wed Pirro, is torn between love for her dead husband and the need to save her son; Pirro is saddened by the need to put duty before love (he loves Andromacha); Fenicio, the latter's tutor, is happy to see his student do something right; Pilade, Oreste's friend, is unsure of what will happen to his friend; the confidantes are left to lament the fates of their respective masters (this is one of Rossini's few operas where every main character gets a confidante/servant/close friend to follow them). Unusually, the ensemble seems to be carried mostly by Andromacha whose subsequent decision is most important to the fate of everyone present. 4. 5:40 - 7:14. "A me Astianatte", the tempo di mezzo. As the normal beat of time returns, Pirro commands Astianatte to be brought before him. The sight of her son in chains is too much for Andromacha who finally asks Pirro to give her more time to consider his proposition of marriage. Pirro happily forgets his decision to wed Ermione and agrees. 5. 7:14 - to the end, "Pirro, deh serbami", the final stretta. Unusually, Rossini refuses to use a stretta that details each characters reactions to Pirro's rash decision. The previous section naturally becomes the stretta, as Ermione reminds Pirro of his promise; the latter remains indifferent to her pleas; Pilade tries to stop Oreste from making any further mistakes; while everyone else is confused at best. And that's the Act One Finale, hope you enjoyed it :)! P.S. Listen to the final coda, does it remind you of anything :)?

Channel: Music

Tags: belcanto  classical  coloratura  ermione  rossini 

Rating: 5.00 (4 ratings)    Views: 135' favoriteCount='3    Comments: 2

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