Francisco António De Almeida: Il Trionfo d’Amore (The Triumph of Love / Triunfo do Amor) | 1729

Composed by: Francisco António De Almeida (c.1702– c.1755) Serenata: Il Trionfo d’Amore Score: An autograph score, library of Vila Viçosa’s Ducal Palace First performed: Ribeira Palace, Portugal 1729 Part One: 01 00:00:00 Introduction: Allegro 02 00:03:00 Introduction: Andante 03 00:07:09 Introduction: Allegro staccato 04 00:08:50 Coro: Numi eccelsi, in sì bel giorno 05 00:10:18 Recitativo: Si sospendan le vittime e gl’incensi (Termosia) 06 00:11:07 Aria: Bel piacer è la vendetta (Termosia) 07 00:15:21 Recitativo: Da qual insania trasportato, Arsindo (Mirenio) 08 00:16:01 Aria: Si cinga il perfido con nodi orribili (Mirenio) 09 00:20:33 Recitativo: Padre e signor (Adraste, Mirenio, Giano, Nerina) 10 00:21:32 Aria: A smorza runa favilla (Giano) 11 00:29:14 Recitativo: Nerina, dirò mia (Arsindo, Nerina) 12 00:29:48 Aria: Pallidetta rosa e smorta (Nerina) 13 00:37:24 Recitativo: O dolcissime voci (Arsindo) 14 00:37:50 Aria: Se bene il gelo indura l’onda (Arsindo) 15 00:41:19 Recitativo: Per lo strano accidente (Adraste, Termosia) 16 00:41:48 Aria: Da due venti combattuto arboscel (Adraste) 17 00:48:34 Recitativo: Drizzate ormai gli altari per l’uman sacrificio (Mirenio, Nerina, Arsindo) 18 00:49:23 Duetto: Se m’abbandoni, dolce mia speme (Arsindo, Nerina) Part Two: 19 00:57:08 Recitativo: Bendate a Arsindo i lumi, ministri (Mirenio, Arsindo) 20 00:57:50 Aria: Ove mi conducesti, perfido ingrato amore (Arsindo) 21 01:02:16 Recitativo: Non accusare amore (Adraste, Arsindo, Giano, Nerina) 22 01:03:10 Recitativo: Divinità del cielo (Nerina) 23 01:04:06 Recitativo: Forsennata, ove corri? (Giano, Nerina) 24 01:05:15 Recitativo: Oh sfortunati amanti (Mirenio, Adraste, Termosia, Arsindo, Giano) 25 01:05:26 Aria: Orride e dispietate Furie (Giano) 26 01:10:00 Recitativo: Mi muore in sen la speme (Termosia, Adraste) 27 01:12:20 Aria: Leggiadra ninfa (Termosia) 28 01:19:28 Recitativo: Amabile Nerina, la tua pietà mi pesa (Arsindo, Nerina) 29 01:20:00 Aria: In queste lacrime, Arsindo, specchiati (Nerina) 30 01:27:57 Recitativo: Bella Termosia (Adraste, Termosia) 31 01:28:36 Duetto: Ecco bell’idol mio (Termosia, Adraste) 32 01:35:58 Recitativo: Ma di quale divino e profetico lume (Mirenio, Adraste, Giano, Termosia) 33 01:37:21 Aria: Se la mente offusca e ingombra (Mirenio) 34 01:42:28 Recitativo: Eterni numi, oh quanto sono diversi dagli umani disegni (Giano, Arsindo) 35 01:43:00 Duetto: Dopo lacrime tante (Nerina, Arsindo) 36 01:43:43 Recitativo: Ma perché sia perfetto (Mirenio, Adraste) 37 01:44:34 Aria: All’alto trono del Dio di Gnido (Adraste) 38 01:50:06 Recitativo: Quel siano de’ ciel l’alti decreti (Mirenio) 39 01:50:36 Coro: A te la gloria, a te il trionfo The serenata for six voices, Il Trionfo d’Amore, scherzo pastorale, was first performed in Lisbon at the Ribeira Palace on 27 Dec, 1729 - the feast of St John the Baptist. During the reign of King João V the celebrations of his birthday, on 22 October, were complemented by those of his name-days, on Jun 24 (St John) and Dec 27 (St John the Baptist). As is made explicit in the title, the plot is an apology of Love. The wedding arrangements between Adraste and Nerina, following the gods’ designs, turn out to be thwarted by a greater force, the unbounded passion of Nerina and Arsindo. De Almeida, proves to be an imaginative composer allowing him to find the most varied and elegant solutions for soloists and orchestra. In a typical baroque structure, recitatives precede the twelve da capo arias and two duets. Following the initial Sinfonia, this two-part work ends in the same way it started with a choir exalting Love . Performed by: Nerina, betrothed to Adraste, in love with Arsindo .................. Ana Quintans, Soprano Arsindo, Nerina’s secret lover ............................................ Carlos Mena, Counter-tenor Termosia, in love with Arsindo ..................................................... Joana Seara, Soprano Adraste, betrothed to Nerina .............................................. Fernando Guimarães, Tenor Giano, chief minister and Nerina’s father ...................... Cátia Moreso, Mezzo-soprano Mirenio, high priest ...................................................................... João Fernandes, Bass Chorus of nymphs and shepherds ....................................................... Voces Caelestes The ensemble: Os Músicos do Tejo (on period instruments) Violins: Mauro Lopes (concertino), Álvaro Pinto, Denys Stetsenko, Naomi Burrell, Nuno Mendes, Tera Shimizu, Maria Bonina and Pedro Meireles. This video marks the world premiere recording of Il Trionfo d’Amore, under the direction of Marcos Magalhães, director of Lisbon-based early music ensemble Os Músicos do Tejo. With the exception of Spanish countertenor Carlos Mena, the entire cast on this wonderfull performance is Portuguese. Cover art: Organ in Church of Santa Engracia, Lisbon, Portugal. #DeAlmeidaRecordare