De mi amor... ¡Ay, mísera!
Felipe VillanuevaPiece Duration: 4:25
About this Piece
Program Note: This aria is from Felipe Villanueva's opera "Keofar"
Suggested Activity: Listen to the various sections of this aria using the Notable Passages below. Then, watch the entire performance to see how it all comes together!
Notable Passages
Description:
Introduction: The soprano beings the piece with four somber, lamenting phrases
Keywords: Largo
Description:
The song comes alive! The soprano soars into her high range, the tempo moves from Largo to Moderato, and the pianist plays in Compound Meter (12/8 time) underneath!
Keywords: Compound Meter , Major Tonality , Moderato , Quadruple Meter , Range - Melody
Description:
Soon the song takes a somber turn! The piece modulates from Eb Major to its parallel key, Eb Minor.
The soprano gradually descends to her lowest range, reaching a low and fiery D4.
Keywords: Compound Meter , Contrast , Minor Tonality , Modulation - Composition Technique , Modulation - Harmony , Quadruple Meter
Description:
The song begins to build again, and as the music slowly transitions to Eb Major. The soprano works her way up to a high G5, and the music takes off!
Keywords: Compound Meter , Modulation - Composition Technique , Modulation - Harmony , Quadruple Meter
Description:
A rising melodic sequence begins! The sequence features a minor second, followed by a perfect fourth.
The soprano arrives at a C, then a D, then a minor third up to an F, which finally rises to a G!
For a moment, it sounds like the main melody has returned. Instead the composer transforms this section into a stunning, second melodic sequence! This sequence features a fourth, third, then a second.
The soprano climbs from a high G, to an Ab, then finally a high Bb! From here, the music slowly coasts down to a low Eb to end the section.
Keywords: Interval - Melodic , Melodic Sequence , Phrase - Expressive Elements , Phrase - Melody , Range - Composition Technique , Range - Expressive Elements , Sequence - Composition Technique , Range - Melody
Description:
In the final coda, the piano and soprano use call and response with different melodic material, stretching the tempo with rubato. The piece quietly comes to a close, before one final high note.
Keywords: Call and Response , Rubato - Expressive Elements , Rubato - Tempo