Description on Youtube:
Conductor/Orchestra: Adam Viktora, Prague Baroque Soloists & Ensemble Inégal.
Soloists: Terra/Earth - Hana Blažíková (S); Guinone/Juno - Roberta Mameli (S); Imeneo/Hymen - Kai Wessel (A); Amore/Cupid - Marie Fajtová (S); Venere/Venus - Gabriela Eibenová (S).
Year composed: 1737; Year performed: 2009.
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0:00:00 - Sinfonia (allegro - adagio - minuetto)
0:07:09 - Recitativo (Rec) "Questa che il sol produce": S - Terra
0:08:11 - Aria "Alla madre degli amori": S - Terra
0:15:35 - Rec "Del gentile tuo dono": S - Guinone
0:16:24 - Aria "Mira come sue candide piume": S - Guinone
0:29:22 - Rec "Prima di scoglier il volo": S, A, S - Guinone, Imeneo, Amore
0:31:10 - Aria "Coronato di ghirlande": A - Imeneo
0:40:12 - Rec "Abitro del destino": S - Amore
0:40:45 - Aria "Cosi per la foresta": S - Amore
0:50:11 - Rec "Fido Imeneo, non piu dimora": S - Guinone
0:51:03 - Aria "Veder aspetta": S - Guinone
1:00:44 - Rec "Gemma tal che in durezza": A, S - Imeneo, Amore
1:02:02 - Aria "Di quegli occhi": A - Amore
1:11:40 - Rec "Tu che al mondo presiedi": S - Terra
1:12:35 - Aria "Del volto della sposa": S - Terra
1:18:30 - Coro "Godete che liche Il"
1:21:43 - Rec "Dove amore si festiggia": S - Venere
1:23:25 - Aria "Qui piegate": S - Venere
1:33:58 - Coro "Godete che liche Il" (repeated - Finale)
Information:
This illustrious and unusual (for the Czech master) secular vocal piece was performed as a surprise gift from the Electress Maria Josepha for the wedding feast of the Schwabian, Baroness Joanna von Stein and the Polish magnate, Prince Jerzy Ignacy Lubomirski.
Thanks to the discovery of a printed libretto written by Pallavicini in the mid-2000s, we know that this piece was titled 'The Diamond' - in reference to the bride's name, and to the special jewelry that was also given to her as a gift from the Electress. This was Zelenka's chance to shine, as both the usual Dresden operatic composers, Hasse and Ristori, were busy with their own projects. It is the crowning jewel of his own Italianate operatic style, having developed it over the course of the decade with 3 oratorios and a set of arias.
The plot revolves around the gemstone which is offered by Terra to Juno who wants to use it as a guarantee of a marriage happening on the Elbe (Dresden). She calls upon Hymen, God of marriage to find the bridegroom, Prince Lubomirski, and Cupid to find a suitable bride, who is later named and praised for her beauty. The glorious union of Poland and Germany is emphasised. The Serenata finishes with Terra asking for Juno's blessing on the couple, and a rousing chorus which invites everyone to celebrate and praise the union.
A surprise addition is the sudden arrival of Venus, sung by the famous Soprano, Faustina Bordoni, wife of Hasse. The subsequent aria is a wonderfully magical image of the tenderness of love - Venus reminds the listener that only she can perfect their love.
Jan Dismas Zelenka, largely known for his prayerful, powerful and pious sacred music
