Topic: La Clemenza Di Tito

[Mozart]

Why is Mozart's last opera so underperformed and under appreciated? It's a very good opera, full of simple, beautiful music with memorable and famous arias, but there seems to be very few recordings and performances of it. The story is as entertaining as watching a dog lick his balls, but if that is the reason, then all Baroque opera should never be performed. I never liked the opera until recently when I started watching the Ponelle film, but I think the music is just as good as Mozart's other masterpieces. The aria parto parto was really boring to me before, but once I listened to it in context, it was gorgeous. The finales are also pretty cool, I love the screams in the end of act 1. So why don't you people listen to, and love La Clemenza?

[head-case]

Why is Mozart's last opera so underperformed and under appreciated? It's a very good opera, full of simple, beautiful music with memorable and famous arias, but there seems to be very few recordings and performances of it. The story is as entertaining as watching a dog lick his balls, but if that is the reason, then all Baroque opera should never be performed. I never liked the opera until recently when I started watching the Ponelle film, but I think the music is just as good as Mozart's other masterpieces. The aria parto parto was really boring to me before, but once I listened to it in context, it was gorgeous. The finales are also pretty cool, I love the screams in the end of act 1. So why don't you people listen to, and love La Clemenza?

You answered your own question.  If the drama does not work what use are nicely crafted arias?  The arias can be programmed in recitals.   The only purpose of this opera is to stroke the egos of corrupt monarchs, and there is no way to make it seem relevant or even unobjectionable to a modern audience. 

[uffeviking]

I don't listen to it, I WATCH an excellent performance at Glyndebourne with Philip Langridge and Ashley Putnam, among others. Great production and wonderful singing actors. I don't know if it is available on DVD, mine is on a LVD from 1991.

[Wendell_E]

I don't listen to it, I WATCH an excellent performance at Glyndebourne with Philip Langridge and Ashley Putnam, among others. Great production and wonderful singing actors. I don't know if it is available on DVD, mine is on a LVD from 1991.

I rented it from Netflix, so it is (or at least was) available on DVD.  I was listening to Hogwood's recording just yesterday, and agree that the opera's relative neglect is shameful.

The Met's revival of the Ponelle production opens tomorrow, with what looks like an interesting lineup.  Unfortunately, it won't be part of the Saturday matinée broadcast season, but the Tuesday the 6th performance will be streamed from the Met website:

Conductor:  Harry Bicket
Servilia: Heidi Grant Murphy
Vitellia: Tamar Iveri
Sesto: Susan Graham
Annio: Anke Vondung
Tito: Ramón Vargas
Publio: Oren Gradus

[Mozart]

You answered your own question.  If the drama does not work what use are nicely crafted arias?  The arias can be programmed in recitals.   The only purpose of this opera is to stroke the egos of corrupt monarchs, and there is no way to make it seem relevant or even unobjectionable to a modern audience. 

Ohh but there are many operas with boring plots that are performed just because the music is good. Why are baroque operas performed when its the same plot in every single opera?

[knight66]

I love the piece and have treasured the Colin Davis performance for a very long time. The cast could not be bettered. I have the DVD directed by Jonathan Miller with Welser Most conducting. Like the same combo in the Magic Flute; it is dramatically inert.

Mike

[Gabriel]

I consider La Clemenza di Tito as a totally neglected masterpiece. The plot cannot be judged by the standards of opera buffa (or, in general, later operas); it is not Figaro, it is not Così. It has to be appreciated as what it is, an opera seria.

The finale for the first act is one of Mozart's most memorable moments, but there is plenty of truly great music.

[uffeviking]

My favorite Clemenza too is conducted by a Davis, but it's Andrew Davis and it is a performance at Glyndebourne in 1991, directed by Nicholas Hytner. I have watched others, but Philip Langridge carries this one for my taste; not too much to sing in the first and second chapters but he is gloriously taking charge in the third chapter.

[MN Dave]

I have the Mackerras version and am giving it a first listen as I type this. I seem to have acquired a taste for Mozart opera lately.

[knight66]

At last puberty passes and maturity arrives. 

I see at the top of this thread, it is suggested that the opera is full of simple music. It seems highly sophisticated to my ears. Opera Seria has not been as popular to us in our lifetimes as the other varieties from Mozart's time. But I think recently we have found artists who can bring it alive. But, even if viewed as modified oratorio, it surprises me that this piece is not more popular. The music is superb and provides such gifts to excellent singers and we have had a good number of great Mozart singers over the last generation or so.

Mike 

[MN Dave]

At last puberty passes and maturity arrives. 

And it only took four decades... 

I agree about the opera. Beautiful music which I'll be revisiting.

[Scarpia]

At last puberty passes and maturity arrives. 

I see at the top of this thread, it is suggested that the opera is full of simple music. It seems highly sophisticated to my ears. Opera Seria has not been as popular to us in our lifetimes as the other varieties from Mozart's time. But I think recently we have found artists who can bring it alive. But, even if viewed as modified oratorio, it surprises me that this piece is not more popular. The music is superb and provides such gifts to excellent singers and we have had a good number of great Mozart singers over the last generation or so.

Mike

Honestly the operatic voice doesn't have a great deal of appeal to me, and I find I don't enjoy opera unless there is a fruitful combination of music with drama.  La Clemenza di Tito doesn't do it for me (so far) because there is no appeal in the story. 

[MN Dave]

It seems the story is definitely the issue. I listen to opera purely as music; at least I have so far.

[knight66]

Honestly the operatic voice doesn't have a great deal of appeal to me, and I find I don't enjoy opera unless there is a fruitful combination of music with drama.  La Clemenza di Tito doesn't do it for me (so far) because there is no appeal in the story.

There are more problematic stories that lie within many popular operas. There is intrigue if not outright drama and there is skilful characterisation within the music, leading you to understand more about the characters, but no, it has not the drama of Trovatore and indeed, Opera Seria is not blood and guts stuff.

But I would have thought that even, as a purely aural experience, it could be treated as oratorio and enjoyed despite the low body count. Of course, I know many oratorios are full of excitement, but others are relatively static.

It is hardly a matter of life and death.

Idomineo is also hampered in a similar way to Tito, despite its plot being more inherently dramatic. In some ways it is about tuning the mind, (rather than the ear), into a more classical, restrained, almost declamatory style.

Mike

[Guido]

Just saw the ETO doing it - I can't agree that it's a neglected masterpiece... Great moments, but there's something missing. It's a rather pale affair. People aren't seriously suggesting it's in the same league as Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi, Zauberflote are they?

[Papy Oli]

It seems to be the same forces that play it at Snape next month.

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events/eto-la-clemenza-di-tito

I am curious about seeing an opera live but am a complete novice in this field of works. Could that be a starting point to consider

[Guido]

Definitely don't see this one as your first! Even if you like the music, it's a very slow opera, and dramatically weak.

If you've never seen an opera the perfect gateway drugs are: Don Giovanni, La Boheme, La Traviata.

[knight66]

I agree, although I love the Mozart piece, I suggest you dip your toe into the ones above, also Carmen and Fidelio, Barber of Seville or Rigoletto.

Mike

[Wendell_E]

It seems to be the same forces that play it at Snape next month.

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events/eto-la-clemenza-di-tito

I am curious about seeing an opera live but am a complete novice in this field of works. Could that be a starting point to consider

I say, "go for it"!  It's late Mozart, and doesn't come along that often.  I'd take it over Zauberflöte any day, though I realize mine's a minority opinion.  I don't think there's any "correct" path to opera.  If you don't like it, you can always try something else.  I have mixed feelings about it being sung in English. 

[kaergaard]

I second that!  The only problem you may have as first time opera goer, is keeping track of who loves who, who wants to marry who. But then that's the problem in a lot of operas, might as well get used to it! Enjoy!