“We may have different
religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to
one human race” Kofi Annan.
Today you are receiving
this late because I have been battling with a storm within; to write or not to
write, to share or not. But I have decided to share, no matter how short. Yes
we believe to one human race and apart from sports which makes us forget our
different cleavages – ethnic, religious, creed, race, tongue, music does. Not just any kind of music though, but
amazing classical music.
Recently I shared with
you my new found love of Antonio Vivaldi’s works. The most recent is the aria Agitata in La Grasielda, a dramma per musica in three acts
that was composed by Antonio Vivaldi. According to Wikipedia,
“The opera uses a
revised version of the 1701 Italian libretto by Apostolo Zeno that was
based on Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron (X, 10, "The Patient
Griselda").The celebrated Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni was hired to
adapt the libretto for Vivaldi. The opera was first
performed in Venice at the Teatro San Samuele on 18 May 1735.”.
The First Act
Years before the action begins,
Gualtiero, King of Thessaly, had married a poor shepherdess, Griselda. The
marriage was deeply unpopular with the king's subjects and when a daughter,
Costanza, was born, the king had to pretend to have her killed while secretly
sending her to be brought up by Prince Corrado of Athens. Now, after the recent
birth of a son has led to another rebellion from the Thessalians against
Griselda as a queen, Gualtiero is forced to dismiss her and promises to take a
new wife. The proposed bride is in fact Costanza, who is unaware of her true
parentage and unknown to Griselda. She is in love with Corrado's younger
brother, Roberto, and the thought of being forced to marry Gualtiero drives her
to despair.
The Second Act
Griselda returns to her home in
the countryside where she is pursued by the villainous courtier Ottone, who is
completely besotted with her and has surreptitiously fomented the popular
uprisings in order to derail her marriage. She angrily rejects his advances.
Gualtiero and his followers go out hunting and come across Griselda's cottage.
Gualtiero foils an attempt by Ottone to kidnap Griselda and allows her back to
the court, but only as Costanza's slave.
The Third Act
Ottone still resolutely pursues
Griselda and Gualtiero promises him her hand as soon as he himself has married
Costanza. Griselda absolutely refuses and declares she would rather die. At
this point, Gualtiero embraces her, having demonstrated her virtue to the
rebellious people, and takes her back as his wife. Gualtiero and Corrado reveal
the true identity of Costanza, Ottone is pardoned and the girl is allowed to
marry Roberto.
The performance of Agitata da due venti by multiple Grammy
award winner and Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano opera singer and recitalist Cecilia Bartoli is simply
phenomenal! She makes classical singing looks easy and her expression is simply
divine.
One person
that reminds me of her is the Nigerian Blessing Agu. Blessing’s soprano texture
is simply unique and her ability to switch effortlessly between pitches, layering
her way up is just cool. She makes singing so easy.
You can
click on this link https://youtu.be/ICFa8_ScI0k
and listen to Blessing Agu in one of her entry at the Splash Heroes Semi Finals
contest. Do not forget to like the video once you are done viewing.
Now as
I write, I feel some clarity in my mind, the challenge before me no doubt
daunting, but I am certain I will not be consumed.
For the
love of a friend, classical music and sanity!
OjisiEmezie
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