Leonardo Vinci (1690 – 1730) was an Italian composer
known chiefly for his 40 or so operas; comparatively
little of his work in other genres survives. A central
proponent of the Neapolitan School of opera, his
influence on subsequent opera composers such as Johann
Adolph Hasse and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was
considerable. He was born at Strongoli and educated at
Naples under Gaetano Greco in the Conservatorio dei
Poveri di Gesù Cristo. He first became known for his
opere buffe (comic oper...(+)
Leonardo Vinci (1690 – 1730) was an Italian composer
known chiefly for his 40 or so operas; comparatively
little of his work in other genres survives. A central
proponent of the Neapolitan School of opera, his
influence on subsequent opera composers such as Johann
Adolph Hasse and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was
considerable. He was born at Strongoli and educated at
Naples under Gaetano Greco in the Conservatorio dei
Poveri di Gesù Cristo. He first became known for his
opere buffe (comic operas) in the Neapolitan language
in 1719; he also composed many opere serie (dramatic
operas). He was received into the Congregation of the
Rosary, a lay religious and burial fraternity, at
Formiello in 1728. He died in May 1730. Vinci is
rumoured to have been poisoned by a jealous husband in
the wake of an ill-advised affair, a story which is
given by several reliable authorities without evident
contradictions.
The dramma per music L'Ernelinda was produced as part
of the name day celebrations of the Austrian Emperor
Charles, on November 4, 1726. It was dedicated to the
Viceroy of Naples, Cardinal Althann, and premiered in
the city's prestigious San Bartolomeo Theater. At this
point in his career, Vinci was experiencing stiff
competition from both Porpora and Hasse, whose works
were widely popular in Naples and throughout Italy. The
story is one of political and romantic intrigue, set in
medieval times in Norway. Much of the music of Vinci's
score shows the influence of Vivaldi and the Venetian
school, especially in the arias which express anger or
the desire for vengeance. In "L'impero ha nel mio
petto," when Rodoaldo curses Ricimero, he is given a
succinct theme of poise and balance, brilliant
coloratura built of extended sequences, and hammered
fanfares in the accompaniment. The word "L'impero" is
sung on a short, largo phrase, set apart from the main
texture of the aria, on a gestic downward octave leap,
as if the actor were also shaking his fist at his
antagonist.
The music for Ernelinda and Vitige is some of the best
of the score. After Ernelinda has signed Vitige's death
warrant, she sings the aria "Empia mano tu scrivesti,"
in which she curses her hand. Her anguish and confusion
is felt in the angular melodies, the broken phrases,
and the incessant dotted rhythms. Vitige expresses his
despair at being imprisoned and abandoned by Ernelinda
in the lament "Se barbar catena." This is immediately
followed by a coloratura aria in which he places his
hopes in his beloved. His optimism is expressed in an F
major minuet with Lombardic rhythms and spicy
appoggiaturas. Their love duet, "Dimmi una volta addio"
is in the latest musical style, with slow harmonic
motion and movement at the cadences, that deliciously
extends the moment of their parting.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_Vinci).
Although originally created for Voice (Soprano) and
Keyboard (Harpsichord), I created this Arrangement of
"Vedovella afflitta e sola" (Afflicted and lonely
widow) from "L'Ernelinda" for Oboe & Strings (2
Violins, Viola & Cello).
SHEET MUSIC