View source for Partenope

{{Short description|1730 opera by George Frideric Handel}}
{{pp-move}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox opera
| name              = Partenope
| composer          = [[George Frideric Handel]]
| image             = Georg Friedrich Händel - Partenope - title page of the libretto - London 1730.png
| caption           = Title page of the libretto, London 1730
| librettist        = 
| language          = {{hlist| Italian }}
| based_on          = libretto by [[Silvio Stampiglia]]
| premiere_date     = {{start date|1730|02|24|df=y}}
| premiere_location = [[Her Majesty's Theatre|King's Theatre]], London
}}

'''''Partenope''''' ('''''Parthenope'''''), [[HWV]] 27, is an [[opera]] by [[George Frideric Handel]], first performed at the [[Her Majesty's Theatre|King's Theatre]] in London on 24 February 1730. Although following the structure and forms of [[opera seria]], the work is humorous in character and light-textured in music, with a plot involving romantic complications and gender confusion.
A success with audiences at the time of its original production and then unperformed for many years, ''Partenope'' is now often seen on the world's opera stages.

==Background==
The opera, which is in three acts, is composed to an Italian [[libretto]] adapted by an unknown hand from a libretto originally written in 1699 by [[Silvio Stampiglia]]. Stampiglia's libretto had received many previous settings, including one by [[Antonio Caldara|Caldara]] which Handel may have seen in [[Venice]] around 1710.<ref>[[English National Opera]] programme, ''Parthenope'', 8</ref>

It was Handel's first comic (or, rather, unserious) opera since the much earlier ''[[Agrippina (opera)|Agrippina]]'', breaking away from the more traditional [[opera seria]] works for which the composer was known in London. He originally proposed the libretto to the opera company the [[Royal Academy of Music (1719)]]<ref>Not to be confused with the much later educational institution, the [[Royal Academy of Music]]</ref> in 1726. They however rejected the work because of its frivolous nature, its relatively few extended arias and its long passages of recitative.  (The latter objections are not particularly true, however.  The opera has relatively few ensemble pieces but is replete with gorgeous arias.) The opera manager [[Owen Swiney]] opined that the project was uncommercial; in a letter of 1726 he wrote:
<blockquote>[The libretto] is the very worst book (excepting one) that I ever read in my whole life. Signor Stampiglia [...] endeavours to be both humorous and witty in it: if he succeeded in his attempt on any stage in Italy, 't was merely from a depravity of taste in the audience; for I am very sure it will be received with contempt in England'<ref>cited in [[English National Opera]] programme, ''Parthenope'', 12</ref></blockquote>
[[File:London Kings Theatre Haymarket.jpg|thumb|The King's Theatre, London, where ''Partenope'' had its first performance]]
The opera was presented during the 1730 season at the King's Theatre when Handel was working in partnership with the director [[John James Heidegger]]. The score was completed by Handel just two weeks before the premiere.

==Performance history==
''Partenope'' received seven performances at its original run in February 1730. Handel had the piece performed for seven more performances in December the same year, and revived it again in 1737, a sign of the work's popularity.<ref name="Museum"/> Then, as with all Handel opera and Baroque opera generally, two hundred years more or less passed before the work was again performed in its entirety.
In 1964 it was performed at [[Ledlanet Nights Festival|Ledlanet]], Scotland. The work had its U.S. premiere in 1988 at [[Opera Omaha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0923/loma.html|title=Smaller opera companies provide a means for young singers to grow. FESTIVAL IN OMAHA|author=The Christian Science Monitor|date=23 September 1988|work=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> In 1998 it was performed in Italian at [[Glimmerglass Opera]], and the same production was performed later that year at [[New York City Opera]].  A production by Christopher Alden, in English (entitled ''Parthenope'') was staged in 2008 (premiere 9 October 2008, with the title role sung by [[Rosemary Joshua]]) by the [[English National Opera]], in a co-production with [[Opera Australia]]. The libretto was translated by Amanda Holden. The production was set in a 1920s atmosphere and was inspired by the [[surrealist]] images of [[Man Ray]]. In 2008, the opera was presented by The [[Royal Danish Opera]]. This production was recorded and is available on DVD. Also, a concert version of the production was performed at the 2009 [[The Proms|Proms]] on 19 July 2009. A production by Pierre Audi was seen at the [[Theater an der Wien]], Vienna, in 2009<ref>{{cite web|title=Vienna's Theater an der Wien scores another hit with 'Partenope'|url=http://www.kcrg.com/news/entertainment/40271577.html|publisher=KCRG-TV9|access-date=9 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714215214/http://www.kcrg.com/news/entertainment/40271577.html|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>
and a modern production by [[Francisco Negrin]] was staged by [[New York City Opera]] in April 2010. The Christopher Alden production, seen in London and in Australia, premiered at the [[San Francisco Opera]] in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partenope|url=http://sfopera.com/Season-Tickets/2014-15-Season/Partenope.aspx|publisher=San Francisco Opera|access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref>

==Roles==
[[File:Caricature of Anna Maria Strada.jpg|thumb|Caricature of Anna Maria Strada, who created the role of Partenope]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{sronly|Roles, voice types, and premiere cast}}
!Role
!Voice type
!Premiere Cast, 24 February 1730<br>(Conductor:- )
|-
| Partenope, ''Queen of [[Naples]]''
| [[soprano]]
| [[Anna Maria Strada]] del Pò
|-
| Arsace, ''Prince of [[Corinth]]''
| [[alto]] [[castrato]]
| [[Antonio Bernacchi]]
|-
| Armindo, ''Prince of [[Rhodes]]''
| [[contralto]]
| [[Francesca Bertolli]]
|-
| Emilio, ''Prince of [[Cumae]]''
| [[tenor]]
| [[Annibale Pio Fabri]]
|-
| Rosmira/Eurimene, ''Princess of Cyprus, and beloved of Arsace''
| [[contralto]]
| [[Antonia Merighi]]
|-
| Ormonte, ''friend of Armindo''
| [[bass (vocal range)|bass]]
| Johann Gottfried Reimschneider
|-
|}

==Synopsis==
Scene: Naples, in antiquity

===Act 1===
In the first scene we see Queen Partenope, founder of Naples, in her throne room adorned with a statue of Apollo, entertaining her guests, among them handsome and dashing Prince Arsace of Corinth, suitor for her hand, and the rather shy and lacking in confidence Prince Armindo of Rhodes, who is also in love with Partenope but cannot bring himself to tell her so. A new guest arrives and introduces "himself" as Prince Eurimene, but "he" is really the princess Rosmira in disguise, Arsace's previous fiancée whom he jilted when he decided to try to win the hand of Queen Partenope and who has tracked him down to Naples. Arsace is astounded by the resemblance of the newcomer "Eurimene" to his ex-girlfriend Rosmira and confronts her when they are alone. Rosmira admits it is she and berates him for his inconstancy. Arsace claims he still loves her, to which Rosmira replies that if so he can prove it by promising not to reveal her name or that she is a woman. Arsace solemnly swears to do so.

"Eurimene" /Rosmira also has a conversation with the sad Armindo whom she discovers really loves Partenope for herself, rather than just being after her position and money. Armindo can't bring himself to tell Partenope that he loves her because he thinks she prefers Arsace. Partenope herself has also noticed Armindo moping about and wants to know what the matter with him is. He does confess his love to her, to which she replies that she is committed to Arsace. Hearing this, Rosmira steps forward in her disguise as "Eurimene" and says "he" loves her too, hoping to keep Partenope from Arsace, but upsetting Armindo in the process.

Yet another suitor for Partenope's hand arrives, Prince Emilio of the neighbouring kingdom of Cumae. He has brought his army with him, and demands she agree to marry him. She refuses and he threatens her with war, to which she replies that she will not be intimidated. She says she will go into battle and fight herself and asks Arsace to lead her troops, which makes the other suitors jealous.

Alone with "Eurimene", Armindo is feeling very down about the fact that "Eurimene" is his rival, but "Eurimene" assures him that is not really the case.

===Act 2===
[[File:Giovanni Battista Lusieri (Italian - A View of the Bay of Naples, Looking Southwest from the Pizzofalcone Toward Capo di Posilippo - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|A View of the Bay of Naples]]
The second act begins with a depiction onstage of the battle between Partenope's and Emilio's forces. Partenope is ultimately victorious, and Emilio is imprisoned, but not before Armindo has rescued her from a dangerous situation and thereby saved her life. Rosmira, in her identity as "Eurimene", also fought in the battle and proudly asserts that "he" captured Emilio. Arsace denies this, claiming credit for that himself. At this "Eurimene" challenges Arsace to a duel.

Armindo once again tells Partenope how much he loves her. She is more encouraging to him this time but does not commit herself.

Arsace tries to make things up with Rosmira but she is very disdainful towards him. Arsace is torn between his desire for Queen Partenope and his old love Rosmira.

===Act 3===
[[File:Zan balino.jpg|thumb|upright|A contemporary caricature of Annibale Pio Fabri, who created the part of Emilio]]
Rosmira, still in disguise as "Eurimene", tells Queen Partenope that "he" challenged Arsace to a duel because "he" was sent by Princess Rosmira to avenge her honour on the man who promised to marry her but jilted her at the altar. The horrified Partenope asks Arsace if this is true and he has to admit it is. Partenope declares she will have nothing more to do with him; Armindo is looking better and better to her as prospective husband.

Arsace is having a sleepless night, knowing that he will be expected to fight "Eurimene" in a duel the next day. However, he is reluctant to fight a duel with the girl he loves. Rosmira comes to him in his rooms, watched by Partenope. When Arsace calls Rosmira's name, Partenope steps forward accusing him of faithlessness, and Rosmira /"Eurimene" does the same.

The next morning, all assemble for the duel between Arsace and "Eurimene". Arsace is in a dilemma, as he has solemnly sworn not to reveal Rosmira's identity, but cannot bring himself to fight a duel with a girl. Suddenly seized by an inspiration, he says that as the person who was challenged, he is allowed to decide how the duel will be fought - and demands they fight without their shirts on. "Eurimene" hesitates, but the others affirm that Arsace is correct, so the terms must be honoured. "Eurimene" has no choice but to admit "he" is really Princess Rosmira, and accepts the contrite Arsace as husband. Partenope will marry the overjoyed Armindo, and Emilio will take his troops and go back home to Cumae.<ref>{{cite web|title=Synopsis of Partenope|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fd11w|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Partenope': The Quirky Side of G. F. Handel| website=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103677644|publisher=NPR|access-date=7 June 2014}}</ref><ref name=Museum>{{cite web|title=Partenope|url=http://www.handelhouse.org/discover/george-frideric-handel/opera-synopses/partenope|publisher=Handel House Museum|access-date=7 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106232756/http://www.handelhouse.org/discover/george-frideric-handel/opera-synopses/partenope|archive-date=6 November 2013}}</ref>

==Musical features==
Many of the arias of ''Partenope'' are shorter than in Handel's previous operas.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Blakeman|first1=Edward|title=The Faber Pocket Guide to Handel|date=2009|publisher=Faber and Faber|isbn=978-0571238316}}</ref> The work is also unusual in Handel's output in containing an ensemble, a comic quartet, in the third act. Also notable is the battle scene in Act Two with orchestral passages interspersed with recitatives and [[arioso]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Burrows|first1=Donald|title=Handel (Master Musicians)|date=15 June 2012|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0199737369}}</ref>

The opera is scored for two flutes, two oboes, bassoon, trumpet, two horns, strings and [[Figured bass|continuo]] (cello, lute, harpsichord).

==Recordings==
===Audio recordings===
{| class="wikitable"
|+{{sronly|''Partenope'' discography, audio recordings}}
!Year
!Cast<br />Partenope,<br />Arsace,<br />Rosmira,<br />Armindo,<br />Emilio
!Conductor,<br />orchestra
!Label
|-
||1978
||Krisztina Laki,<br />[[René Jacobs]],<br /> Helga Müller Molinari,<br />John York Skinner,<br />[[Martyn Hill]]
||[[Sigiswald Kuijken]],<br />[[La Petite Bande]]
||Deutsche Harmonia Mundi/EMI CDS 7 47913-8 
|-
||2004
||[[Rosemary Joshua]],<br />[[Lawrence Zazzo]],<br />Hilary Summers,<br />Stephen Wallace,<br />[[Kurt Streit]]
||Christian Curnyn,<br />Early Opera Company
||Chandos CHAN 0719
|-
||2015
||[[Karina Gauvin]],<br />[[Philippe Jaroussky]],<br />Teresa Iervolino,<br />Emőke Baráth,<br />[[John Mark Ainsley]],<br />Luca Tittoto
||[[Riccardo Minasi]],<br />[[Il Pomo d'Oro (orchestra)|Il Pomo d'Oro]]
||[[Warner Classics]], [[Erato Records]]
|}

===Video recording===
{| class="wikitable"
|+{{sronly|''Partenope'' discography, video recordings}}
!Year
!Cast<br />Partenope,<br />Arsace,<br />Rosmira,<br />Armindo,<br />Emilio
!Conductor,<br />orchestra
!Producer
!Label
|-
||2008
||[[Inger Dam-Jensen]],<br />[[Andreas Scholl]],<br />[[Tuva Semmingsen]],<br />[[Christophe Dumaux]],<br />Palle Knudsen
||Lars Ulrik Mortensen,<br />Concerto Copenhagen
||Francisco Negrin
||Decca 0440 074 3348,<br /> Blu-ray 0440 074 3347 8
|}

==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}
;Sources
*{{Cite book|first=Winton|last=Dean|title=Handel's Operas, 1726-1741|publisher=Boydell Press|year=2006|
isbn=1-84383-268-2}} 
*[[English National Opera]], programme for ''Parthenope'', 2008.

==External links==
*[http://www.haendel.it/composizioni/libretti/pdf/partenope.pdf Italian libretto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605071257/http://www.haendel.it/composizioni/libretti/pdf/partenope.pdf |date=5 June 2011 }}
*{{IMSLP2|work=Partenope,_HWV_27_(Handel,_George_Frideric)|cname= Partenope}}

{{OlivierAward OperaProduction 2001–2025}}
{{HelpmannAward Opera 2001-2020}}
{{George Frideric Handel}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Operas by George Frideric Handel]]
[[Category:1730 operas]]
[[Category:Operas]]
[[Category:Italian-language operas]]