Sovvente il sole (Vivaldi) Nathalie Stutzmann

From the recording Prima Donna

by Nathalie Stutzmann and her ensemble Orfeo 55
Thibault Noally, violin soloist

This aria is from Andromeda liberata, a Venetian pasticcio-serenata, dated September 18, 1726, that was composed in honor of arts patron Cardinal Ottoboni (1665-1740). This aria composed by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741).

Based on a libretto by Vincenzo Cassani (c.1677-c.1736), the story is taken from Greek mythology. With a cast of characters that includes Princess Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus, Medusa, Poseidon, sea nymphs and a sea monster, it's no wonder this was a popular subject for operas. Also popular with artists, there are numerous paintings devoted to the subject. (Information about the art used in this video is included below).

Sovvente il sole
Risplende in cielo
Più bello e vago
Se oscura nube
Già l'offusco.

E il mar tranquillo
Quasi senza onda
Talor si scorge,
Se ria procella
Pria lo turbo.

TRANSLATION:
Often the sun beams in the sky
With greater beauty and allure
After the dark clouds, which had dimmed it before, have cleared.

And the calm peaceful sea
Is seen with almost no waves
After the passing of a terrible storm which had agitated it before.

CD available from Deutsche Grammophon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004Q72LH8/worldtwitch09

Various artists' depictions of the Andromeda and Perseus myth:
( 0:02) Sir Edward John Poynter (1836-1919)
(1:10) Henri-Pierre Picou (1824-1895)
(1:32) Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
(1:54) François Lemoyne (1688-1737)
(2:05) Theodoor van Thulden (1606-1669)
(2:36) Pierre Mignard (1612--1695)
(3:02) Annibale Carracci (1560--1609)
(3:20) Charles Napier Kennedy (1852-1898)
(3:50) Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)
(4:08) Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574)
(4:32) Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
(4:42) Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
(5:10) Gustave Moreau (1826-1898)
(5:50) Charles-André van Loo (1705-1765)
(6:18) Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
(6:38) Joachim Anthonisz Wtewael (1566-1638)
(7:15) Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, known as il Morazzone (1573-1626)
(7:39) Gustave Moreau (1826-1898)
(8:26) Piero di Cosimo (1462-1521)
(8:46) Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-779)
(9:28) Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

FURTHER RESEARCH:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda_(mythology)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus

http://www.nathaliestutzmann.com/

Видео Sovvente il sole (Vivaldi) Nathalie Stutzmann канала Jeffrey Stivers