"" (Ah! Deceiver),
Op. 65, is a
concert aria for
soprano
A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...
and orchestra by
Ludwig van Beethoven. The dramatic ''
scena'' begins with a
recitative in
C major
C major (or the key of C) is a major scale based on C, consisting of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. C major is one of the most common keys used in music. Its key signature has no flats or sharps. Its relative minor is A minor and ...
, taken from
Pietro Metastasio's ''
Achille in Sciro
''Achille in Sciro'' is an opera and libretto by Pietro Metastasio telling the story of Achilles on Skyros. It was first set to music by Antonio Caldara in 1736, and premiered at the wedding of Maria Theresa and Francis of Lorraine in Vienna.Ita ...
''. The aria "Per pietà, non dirmi addio" (For pity's sake, do not bid me farewell) is set in the key of
E-flat major, and its lyricist is anonymous. A performance takes about 14 minutes.
History
The work was first performed on 21 November 1796 in the in Leipzig, with soprano
Josepha Duschek as the soloist. The singer, a friend of
Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 17565 December 1791), baptised as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. Despite his short life, his ra ...
in Prague, advertised it as "an Italian scena written by Beethoven for Duschek", possibly to raise interest rather than a statement about a dedication. The only extant manuscript by a copyist has a dedication to "Signora Comtessa di Clari", Countess Josephine of
Clary-Aldringen.
Another notable performance occurred in 1808 as part of a
benefit concert for the composer on 22 December which also featured the premieres of his
fifth and
sixth symphonies, an excerpt of his
Mass in C major, among others. The singer was the 17-year old who stepped in on short notice after others cancelled. A sister-in-law of the violinist
Ignaz Schuppanzigh, she possibly performed, to mixed reaction, from the manuscript which shows changes made by Beethoven. This version differs from the first edition, which causes a problem for editors as both versions are authorized by Beethoven.
The work was first published in Leipzig in 1805 by the of
Franz Anton Hoffmeister and Ambrosius Kühnel, without an Opus number, like many early works by Beethoven. In 1819,
Hofmeister in Leipzig printed it and assigned number 46. The number 65, which Beethoven had for unknown reasons not used, was assigned to the piece in 1819 by
Artaria Artaria & Co. () was one of the most important music publishing firms of the late 18th and 19th century. Founded in the 18th century in Vienna, the company is associated with many leading names of the classical era.
History
Artaria & Co. was foun ...
in Vienna, when Beethoven's
Piano Sonata Op. 106 was published with a works list. In chronological order, a number in the range 5 to 10 would be justified.
Breitkopf & Härtel printed the work in 1862 as part of ', a publication of his complete works.
Text
Ah! Faithless one, perjured,
barbarous betrayer, do you leave?
And are these your last farewells?
Who ever suffered such cruel tyranny?
Go, wicked man! Go, run from me,
The wrath of the Gods you shall not escape!
If there is justice in Heaven, if there is mercy,
They will join together to punish you!
Pursuing shade, present wherever you go,
I shall see my vengeance;
I already enjoy it in my mind;
I see already lightning flashing about you.
Ah no, ah no, stop, Gods of vengeance!
Spare that heart, strike mine!
Though he has changed, I am what I was,
Through him I lived, I would die for him!
For pity, do not bid me farewell,
What shall I do without you?
You know, fair beloved,
I shall die troubled.
Ah, cruel one, you would that I die!
Have you no pity for me?
Why do you treat one who adores you
With such barbarous reward?
Tell me if in such trouble
Am I not worthy of pity?
References
Notes
Sources
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External links
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Beethoven's "Ah! perfido" programme note by Donald Teeters,
Boston Cecilia, 2004
* –
Birgit Nilsson
Märta Birgit Nilsson (17 May 1918 – 25 December 2005) was a celebrated Swedish dramatic soprano. Although she sang a wide répertoire of operatic and vocal works, Nilsson was best known for her performances in the operas of Richard Wagner a ...
;
Wolfgang Sawallisch,
Orchestra della RAI di Roma (1974)
{{authority control, state=collapsed
Compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven
Music dedicated to nobility or royalty
1796 compositions
Soprano arias
Arias in Italian