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[Cesti, Antonio, (1623-1669)]--Sbarra, Francesco (1611-1668).
Description
- Il pomo d'oro, festa teatrale rappresentata in Vienna per l'augustissime nozze delle Sacre Cesaree Reali Maestà di Leopoldo, e Margherita [libretto]. Vienne: Matthaeus Cosmerovius, 1668.
- Paper
Provenance
Literature
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
"Il pomo d'oro, le plus important opéra de cour baroque dans la grande manière, est exceptionnel. Il a cinq actes au lieu de trois, et est composé pour une grande formation orchestrale, dans la tradition allégorique de l'Orfeo de Monteverdi ; la liste des personnages comprend beaucoup de figurants... Cela prouve l'importance accordée aux capacités individuelles des chanteurs... et Il pomo d'oro leur fournit l'opportunité d'exposer leur virtuosité" (The New Grove, vol.5, p.398).
Cette œuvre fut publiée la même année dans une traduction allemande, jointe à la version italienne au format in-8° contenant une dédicace gravée et une dédicace imprimée, qui n'apparaissent pas dans cette édition.
Il pomo d'oro, with music by Antonio Cesti (1623-1669) and libretto by Sbarra, formed part of the wedding celebrations of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I with the Spanish Infanta, Margherita Teresa, in Vienna in 1667. It was performed on 13 and 14 July 1668 in the Hoftheater auf der Cortina, with elaborate sets designed by Burnacini. The plate depicting the theatre is an important record as the theatre was burned down during the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683.
"Il pomo d'oro, the most notable Baroque court opera in the grand manner, is exceptional in many ways. It has five acts instead of the normal three and is scored for a greatly enlarged orchestra, much in the allegorical tradition of Monteverdi's Orfeo; the large cast includes many supernumeraries... Cesti showed a strong interest in the individual abilities of his singers, whom he jealously protected... and Il pomo d'oro gaven them ample opportunity to display their virtuosity" (The New Grove, vol.5, p.398).
This work was also published in the same year in German translation, together with the Italian version in octavo format with an engraved dedication and printed dedication, neither of which appear in this edition.