Il Ritorno D'Ulisse in Patria - List of Musical Items

List of Musical Items

The following is a list of the "scenes" into which the libretto is divided. Each separate scene is typically a mixture of musical elements: recitative, arioso, arietta and sometimes ensemble, with occasional instrumental interludes.

Scene Performed by First lines Notes
Prologue
Prologue L'humana fragilatà, Tempo, Fortuna, Amore Mortal cosa son io
(I am mortal)		 In the libretto prologue the gods are Fato, Fortezza and Prudenza (Fate, Strength and Prudence)
Act 1
1: Scene I Penelope, Ericlea Di misera regina non terminati mai dolenti affani!
(Miserable Queen, sorrow and trouble never end!)
1: Scene II Melanto, Eurimaco Duri e penosi son gli amorosi fieri desir
(Bitter and hard are the lovers' cruel torments)
1: Scene III Maritime scene, music missing from score
1: Scene IV Music only The sleeping Ulisse is placed ashore by the Faeci
1: Scene V Nettuno, Giove Superbo è l'huom
(Man is proud)		 In some editions this scene begins with a Chorus of Sirens, using other music.
1: Scene VI Chorus of Faeci, Nettuno In questo basso mondo
(In this base world)
1: Scene VII Ulisse Dormo ancora o son desto?
(Am I still asleep, or am I awake?)
1: Scene VIII Minerva, Ulisse Cara e lieta gioventù
(Dear joyful time of youth)
1: Scene IX Minerva, Ulisse Tu d'Aretusa a fonte intanto vanne
(Go thou meanwhile to the fountain of Arethusa)		 Act 1 in the five-act libretto ends here
1: Scene X Penelope, Melanto Donata un giorno, o dei, contento a' desir miei
(Grant me one day, ye gods, content to all my wishes)
1: Scene XI Eumete Come, oh come mal si salva un regio amante
(O how badly does a loving king save himself)
1: Scene XII Iro, Eumete Pastor d'armenti può prati e boschi lodar
(A keeper of cattle can praise meadows and woods)
1: Scene XIII Eumete, Ulisse Ulisse generoso! Fu nobile intrapresa
{Noble Ulysses! You undertook noble deeds)		 End of Act 1 (score)
Act 2
2: Scene I Telemaco, Minerva Lieto cammino, dolce viaggio
(Happy journey, sweet voyage)
2: Scene II Eumete, Ulisse, Telemaco Oh gran figlio d'Ulisse! È pur ver che tu torni
O great son of Ulysses, is it true you have come back?)
2: Scene III Telemaco, Ulisse Che veggio, ohimè, che miro?
(What do I see, alas, what do I behold?)		 Act 2 in the five-act libretto ends here
2: Scene IV Melanto, Eurimaco Eurimaco! La donna insomma haun cor di sasso
(Eurymachus, in short the lady has a heart of stone)
2: Scene V Antinoo, Pisandro, Anfinomo, Penelope Sono l'altre regine coronate di servi e tu d'amanti
(Other queens are crowned by servants, you by lovers)
2: Scene VI "Ballet of the Moors", music missing from score
2: Scene VII Eumete, Penelope Apportator d'altre novelle vengo!
(I come as bearer of great tidings!)
2: Scene VIII Antinoo, Anfinomo, Pisandro, Eurimaco Compagni, udiste?
(Friends, did you hear?)
2: Scene IX Ulisse, Minerva Perir non può chi tien per scorta il cielo
(He who has heaven as an escort cannot perish)
2: Scene X Eumete, Ulisse Io vidi, o pelegrin, de' Proci amanti
(I saw, O wanderer, the amorous suitors)		 Act 3 in the five-act libretto ends here.
In Henze's two-act version Act 1 ends here
2: Scene XI Telemaco, Penelope Del mio lungo viaggio i torti errori già vi narrari
(The tortuous ways of my long journey I have already recounted)
2: Scene XII Antinoo, Eumete, Iro, Ulisse, Telemaco, Penelope, Anfinomo, Pisandro Sempre villano Eumete
(Always a lout, Eumete...)		 Act 4 in the five-act libretto ends here
Act 3

3: Scene I		 Iro O dolor, o martir che l'alma attrista
(O grief, O torment that saddens the soul)
3: Scene II Scene not set to music because Monteverdi considered it "too melancholy". The souls of the dead suitors are seen entering hell.
3: Scene III Melanto, Penelope E quai nuovi rumori,
(And what strange uproars)
3: Scene IV Eumete, Penelope Forza d'occulto affetto raddolcisce il tuo petto
(The power of a hidden affection may calm your breast)
3: Scene V Telemaco, Penelope È saggio Eumete, è saggio!
(Eumaeus is truly wise!)
3: Scene VI Minerva, Giunone Fiamma e l'ira, o gran dea, foco è lo sdegno!
(Anger is the flame, O great goddess, hatred is the fire)
3: Scene VII Giunone, Giove, Nettuno, Minerva, Heavenly Chorus, Chorus of Sirens Gran Giove, alma de' dei,
(Great Jove, soul of the gods)
3: Scene VIII Ericlea Ericlea, che vuoi far?
(Eurycleia, what will you do?)
3: Scene IX Penelope, Eumete, Telemaco Ogni nostra ragion sen porta il vento
(All your reason is borne away by the wind)
3: Scene X Ulisse, Penelope, Ericlea O delle mie fatiche meta dolce e soave
(O sweet, gentle ending of my troubles)
End of opera

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