La serva padrona
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La serva padrona (The Servant Mistress) is an opera buffa by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (January 4, 1710 – March 16, 1736) on a libretto by Gennaro Antonio Federico, after the play by Jacopo Angello Nelli. The opera is only 45 minutes long and was originally performed as an intermezzo between the acts of a larger opera.
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[edit] Performance history
It was originally an intermezzo paired with Pergolesi's opera seria Il prigioniero superbo (The Proud Prisoner). The two were premiered on 5 September 1733, the first performance after an earthquake in Naples had caused all theatres to be closed, and celebrated the birthday of the Empress of Habsburg.
Il prigioniero was unsuccessful in its day and is not a recognized title in today’s opera repertoire. Eventually the two pieces were separated, and La serva padrona went on to enjoy fame throughout Europe for years after its premiere. The importance of this intermezzo can hardly be overlooked in the history of opera. With a new finaIe, the French version played a large part in the Querelle des Bouffons. It was appealing because of its presentation of characters that were relatable to any audience, namely the cunning maid and her aging master. La serva padrona is often seen as the quintessential piece that bridges the gap from the Baroque to the Classical period. Due to its importance, over time it came to be known as more than just an intermezzo and was performed as a stand-alone work and called an opera buffa.
[edit] Synopsis
Intermezzo I
Dressing room.
Uberto, an elderly bachelor, is angry and impatient with his maidservant, Serpina, because she has not brought him his chocolate today. Serpina has become so arrogant that she thinks she is the mistress of the household. Indeed, when Uberto calls for his hat, wig and coat, Serpina forbids him from leaving the house, adding that from then on he will have to obey her orders. Uberto thereupon orders Vespone to find him a woman to marry so that he can rid himself of Serpina.
Intermezzo II
Same dressing room.
Serpina convinces Vespone to trick Uberto into marrying her. She informs Uberto that she is to marry a military man named Tempesta. She will be leaving his home and apologizes for her behavior. Vespone, disguised as Tempesta, arrives and, without saying a word, demands 4,000 crowns for a dowry. Uberto refuses to pay such a sum. Tempesta threatens him to either pay the dowry or marry the girl himself. Uberto agrees to marry Serpina. Serpina and Vespone reveal their trick; but Uberto realizes that he has loved the girl all along. They will marry after all; and Serpina will now be the true mistress of the household.
The piece is for bass, soprano, and a "mute" actor.
[edit] Recordings
Among the sopranos who have recorded the work are Virginia Zeani (opposite her husband Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, 1959), Renata Scotto (c1960), Anna Moffo (1962) and Julianne Baird (1989).
[edit] Sources
- The Oxford Dictionary of Opera, by John Warrack and Ewan West (1992), 782 pages, ISBN 0-19-869164-5
[edit] External links
- A complete score can be found in the Werner Icking Music Archive
