Le Fate (opera)

Le fate (Italian for The Fairies) is an opera in 2 acts (fiaba musicale in due parti — musical fairy-tale in 2 parts) by Henrique Oswald to an Italian libretto by Eduardo Filippi. It is the last of Oswald's three operas, composed in 1902–1903. It is known of no performances of this work. It remains unpublished.[1]

Le fate
Opera by Henrique Oswald
Oswald in 1907
LibrettistEduardo Filippi
LanguageItalian

History

Dating and manuscripts

The dating of the opera comes from a manuscript (now at Arquivo Nacional in Rio de Janeiro)[2] of the complete score, having "Firenze, 1902–1903" on the title page.[3] It consists of 259 pages.[3]

Another manuscript contains a vocal score arranged by the composer, it is at the library of Escola de Comunicações a Artes. The first part of it in written on Italian paper, while the second is on Brazilian. At the end of the first part there is a dating by Oswald: "Outubro de 1902, Villa Speranza"; at the ends of the second part: "Outubro de 1904, Rio Comprido".[1][2]

There is also a separate manuscript with a vocal score of Ulina's aria, on Brazilian paper, undated.[1]

Style

Unlike two other operas by Oswald, this one includes a ballet.[3]

Roles

There are only three singing roles:[1][3]

  • Ulina, regina delle fate [a fairy queen] (soprano)
  • Brunello, uomo della terra [an earthly man] (tenor)
  • Lurchetto, satiro [a satyr] (baritone)

Choruses and dancers include fairies, satyrs, bacchantes, vampires, soldiers and sailors.[1][3]

Scoring

The orchestra consists of:[3]

  • piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets (in A and Bb), bass clarinet (in A and Bb), 2 bassoons, contrabassoon
  • 4 horns (in F), 3 trumpets (in F), 3 trombones, bass tuba
  • timpani
  • percussion
  • 2 harps
  • strings

Synopsis

The action takes place in a grotto near the isle of Cyprus, in the kingdom of the fairy Ulina.[1]

After the overture comes the chorus Eterna giovinezza allieta il nostro cor. The plot is based on Ulina's love towards Brunello, who doesn't love her. At the end he defends the fairy from the soldiers, who try to hurt her, without being able to prevent her death, but just in time to declare his love.[1]

Editions

A complete edition of the opera is being prepared by Brazilian scholars. By 2016, four selected numbers have already been published in vocal scores:[2]

  • Piangere voglio, Ária de Ulina da ópera Le Fate, para soprano e piano: Edição de Filipe Fonseca. – Cantabile Edições Musicais (CA0003), ©2016. 2 p.
  • Ho sulla terra, Ária de Brunello da ópera Le Fate, para tenor e piano: Edição de Filipe Fonseca. – Cantabile Edições Musicais (CA0004), ©2016. 3 p.
  • Bevi ed innebriati, Ária de Lurchetto da ópera Le Fate, para baritono e piano: Edição de Filipe Fonseca. – Cantabile Edições Musicais (CA0005), ©2016.
  • Nell'anima dell'essere, Coro da ópera Le Fate, para coro SSAATTBB e piano: Edição de Filipe Fonseca. – Cantabile Edições Musicais (CA0006), ©2016. 8 p.

References
  1. Susana Cecilia Igayara. Henrique Oswald e a música vocal. Revista Glosas. Revista do Movimento Patrimonial pela Música Portuguesa, v. 9, p. 19-25. Setembro 2015.
  2. Filipe Daniel Fonseca dos Santos, Susana Cecilia Igayara-Souza. Erros e variantes na edição de excertos da ópera Le Fate de Henrique Oswald (1852 – 1931) / XXVI Congresso da Associação Nacional de Pesquis a e Pós-Graduação em Música – B. Horizonte – 2016
  3. Flávio Carvalho. (Re)conhecendo as três óperas de Henrique Oswald (1852–1931) através de seus manuscritos
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