Preghiera in Italian Bel Canto Opera

Abstract

This lecture explores the representation of prayer in opera during the bel canto era. During the operatic bel canto era, prayer scenes were featured with increasing frequency. The popularity of this practice was likely rooted in a Romantic trend towards utilizing religious ceremony for dramatic effect. Eventually, these scenes became a standard part of Romantic Italian opera in a variety of forms, but none so prevalent as the heroine's pleading. As the era developed, the language for referencing a religious figure used in prayers, the musical structure, the orchestration, and the way composers and librettists utilized these scenes within the dramatic context of the opera all changed and moved towards the grand preghiera scenes of Giuseppe Verdi. The scenes examined are: Gioachino Rossini's "Deh, tu reggi in tal momento" from La gazza ladra, Gaetano Donizetti's "Deh, tu di un'umile preghiera" from Maria Stuarda, "Madre pietosa Vergine" from Giuseppe Verdi's La forza del destino, "Deh calma o ciel" from Rossini's Otello, and Verdi's "Ave Maria" also from Otello. A detailed study of the scenes and arias above exemplifies how the politics, tastes, and sensibilities of the Italian people changed.