Sovvente il sole (Vivaldi) Lucile Richardot

Sovvente, il sole (written for a pasticcio-serenata Andromeda liberata)
by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Lucile Richardot, mezzo-soprano
Pulcinella Orchestra
Ophélie Gaillard, violoncello piccolo and musical direction

Sovvente, il sole
risplende in cielo,
più bello e vago (caro)
se oscura nube
già l’offuscò.

E il mar, tranquillo,
quasi senza onda
talor si scorge,
si ria procella
pria lo turbò.

Often the sun
shines in the sky
with greater beauty and allure
when the dark clouds have cleared,
which previously obscured it.

And the sea can be seen
at times all calm,
almost without any waves,
when the terrible storm has passed,
which previously unsettled it.

From the liner notes:
In this programme devoted to “shadows” in the music of Vivaldi, we could not miss the opportunity of including the aria “Sovvente il Sole,” from Andromeda liberata, a serenata first performed in Venice in 1726. It takes the form of a moving dialogue between the hero, Perseo (Perseus), and the solo violin. The first verse is a reflection on the fact that the sun shines brighter after the cloud that obscured it has moved on. This subject must have inspired Vivaldi, for he composed the violin part so that he could accompany the singer himself. That part is very easy to transpose for the violoncello piccolo which, with its E-string, is able to reproduce the violin line exactly, an octave lower. The extra string, compared to the cello, is very important here, for the aria begins with two E’s: in all likelihood the first one has to be fingered, while the second one uses the open string (a contrast once again between shadow and light). Note also the shift to major for the second part of the text, about the sea, which appears all the more calm after the passing of a storm.

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).

CD available from Aparté:
https://www.apartemusic.com/albums/ophelie-gaillard-vivaldi-icolori-dellombra/?lang=en

Art in the video:
[1:18] Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574)
[2:07] Edward John Poynter (1836-1919)
[4:17] Charles Napier Kennedy (1852-1898)
[5:17] Anton Raphael Mengs (1728–1779)
[6:19] Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
[7:04] Pierre Mignard (1612–1695)
[8:19] Theodoor van Thulden (1606–1669)

Видео Sovvente il sole (Vivaldi) Lucile Richardot канала Jeffrey Stivers