Prometeo
Encyclopedia
Prometeo is a 150-minute opera
by Luigi Nono
, written between 1981 and 1984 and revised in 1985. Here the word "opera" carries the generic Italian meaning of "work," as in work of art, and not its usual worldly meaning. Indeed, Nono scornfully labels "Prometeo" a "tragedia dell'ascolto," a tragedy of (or for) listening. Objectively it can be considered a sequence of nine cantatas, the longest lasting 23 minutes. The Italian libretto, by Massimo Cacciari
, selects from texts by such varied authors as Aeschylus
, Walter Benjamin
and Rainer Maria Rilke
and presents the different versions of the myth
of Prometheus
without telling any version literally.
"Prometeo" in its final form (1985) is scored for 5 vocal soloists (2 sopranos, 2 altos, and a tenor), 2 speakers (one male, one female), choir, solo strings, solo winds, Gläser, 4 orchestra groupings, live electronics, and 2 conductors. Sounds from the vocalists and instrumentalists are electronically manipulated.
on September 25, 1984, Claudio Abbado
was the conductor, with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe
, a choir from the Freiburg
Conservatorium, and the following vocal soloists: Ingrid Ade, Monika Bair-Ivenz, Bernadette Manca di Nissa
, Susanne Otto, and Mario Bolognesi. It is not clear whether a Conductor II was deployed. The revised and final "Prometeo" premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan
on September 25, 1985. Nono banned all photography of the production in an attempt to stop what he called "artistic consumerism."
"Prometeo" was presented as part of the Berliner Festspiele
in September 2011 under Matilda Hofman (Conductor II) and Arturo Tamayo (Conductor I); Cyndia Sieden
, Silke Evers, Susanne Otto, Noa Frenkel, and Hubert Mayer were the vocal soloists, with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
by Luigi Nono
Luigi Nono
Luigi Nono was an Italian avant-garde composer of classical music and remains one of the most prominent composers of the 20th century.- Early years :Born in Venice, he was a member of a wealthy artistic family, and his grandfather was a notable painter...
, written between 1981 and 1984 and revised in 1985. Here the word "opera" carries the generic Italian meaning of "work," as in work of art, and not its usual worldly meaning. Indeed, Nono scornfully labels "Prometeo" a "tragedia dell'ascolto," a tragedy of (or for) listening. Objectively it can be considered a sequence of nine cantatas, the longest lasting 23 minutes. The Italian libretto, by Massimo Cacciari
Massimo Cacciari
Massimo Cacciari is an Italian philosopher and politician.Born in Venice, Massimo Cacciari graduated in philosophy from the University of Padua , where he also received his doctorate, writing a thesis on Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Judgment." In 1985, he became professor of Aesthetics at the...
, selects from texts by such varied authors as Aeschylus
Aeschylus
Aeschylus was the first of the three ancient Greek tragedians whose work has survived, the others being Sophocles and Euripides, and is often described as the father of tragedy. His name derives from the Greek word aiskhos , meaning "shame"...
, Walter Benjamin
Walter Benjamin
Walter Bendix Schönflies Benjamin was a German-Jewish intellectual, who functioned variously as a literary critic, philosopher, sociologist, translator, radio broadcaster and essayist...
and Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke
René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke , better known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was a Bohemian–Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language...
and presents the different versions of the myth
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
of Prometheus
Prometheus
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, the son of Iapetus and Themis, and brother to Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals...
without telling any version literally.
"Prometeo" in its final form (1985) is scored for 5 vocal soloists (2 sopranos, 2 altos, and a tenor), 2 speakers (one male, one female), choir, solo strings, solo winds, Gläser, 4 orchestra groupings, live electronics, and 2 conductors. Sounds from the vocalists and instrumentalists are electronically manipulated.
Nine Sections
The work's nine sections are:- Prologo
- Isola Prima
- Isola Seconda
- Interludio Primo
- Tre Voci (a)
- Isola Terza — Quarta — Quinta
- Tre Voci (b)
- Interludio Secondo
- Stasimo Secondo
Performance History
At the premiere of the first version, at the Church of San Lorenzo in VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
on September 25, 1984, Claudio Abbado
Claudio Abbado
Claudio Abbado, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , is an Italian conductor. He has served as music director of the La Scala opera house in Milan, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Vienna State Opera,...
was the conductor, with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe , established in 1981, is administratively based in London. The orchestra comprises about 60 members coming from across Europe. The players pursue parallel careers as international soloists, members of eminent chamber groups, and as tutors and professors of music...
, a choir from the Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
Conservatorium, and the following vocal soloists: Ingrid Ade, Monika Bair-Ivenz, Bernadette Manca di Nissa
Bernadette Manca di Nissa
Bernadette Manca di Nissa is an Italian operatic contralto who has sung leading roles in the principal opera houses of Italy as well as internationally...
, Susanne Otto, and Mario Bolognesi. It is not clear whether a Conductor II was deployed. The revised and final "Prometeo" premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
on September 25, 1985. Nono banned all photography of the production in an attempt to stop what he called "artistic consumerism."
"Prometeo" was presented as part of the Berliner Festspiele
Berliner Festspiele
The Berliner Festspiele arts center brings together a variety of arts and culture events under one roof each year in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in West Berlin in 1951. Throughout the year, festivals, program series, and individual events enrich the cultural scene of the city...
in September 2011 under Matilda Hofman (Conductor II) and Arturo Tamayo (Conductor I); Cyndia Sieden
Cyndia Sieden
Cyndia Sieden is an American coloratura soprano on the opera and concert stages.-Biography:Cyndia Sieden was born in 1961 in California, USA, and received her first vocal instruction there. A significant early milestone in her studies was work with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in master classes in...
, Silke Evers, Susanne Otto, Noa Frenkel, and Hubert Mayer were the vocal soloists, with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.
Recordings
- EMI Classics 5 55209 2 - 1993, live in Salzburg: Ingrid Ade-Jesemann, Monika Bair-Ivenz, Susanne Otto, Helena Rasker, Peter Hall; Solistenchor Freiburg; Ensemble ModernEnsemble ModernEnsemble Modern is a chamber ensemble dedicated to the music of modern composers. Formed in 1980, the group is based in Frankfurt, Germany and made up variously of about twenty members from numerous countries....
; Ingo MetzmacherIngo MetzmacherIngo Metzmacher is a German conductor. He is the son of the cellist Rudolf Metzmacher. His musical education in piano, music theory and conducting was in Hanover, Salzburg and Cologne...
, conductor - Col Legno WWE2SACD20605 - 2003, live in Freiburg: Petra Hoffmann, Monika Bair-Ivenz, Susanne Otto, Noa Frenkel, Hubert Mayer, singers; Sigrun Schell, Gregor Dalal (speakers); Freiburg Soloists’ Choir, ensemble recherche, Soloists’ Ensembles of the Freiburg Philharmonic and SWR Symphony Orchestras, Experimentalstudio Heinrich-Strobel-Stiftung of the SWR Freiburg (André Richard, director); Peter Hirsch (1st conductor), Kwamé RyanKwamé RyanKwamé Ryan is a Canadian conductor of Trinidadian descent. He is the son of Selwyn Ryan,a University Professor, and Joya Gomez, a school teacher and actress. He had his primary and early musical educationer at the University School, St Augustine, Trinidad. A month after his birth, the family...
(2nd conductor)