Venus and Adonis (opera)

Venus and Adonis is an opera by John Blow in a prologue and three acts. It is considered the first true English opera. The striking parallels to Henry Purcell's " Dido and Aeneas " suggest that these two works promptly arose and relate to each other.

The piece is titled A Masque for the entertainment of the King, and was probably first performed in the summer of 1681 in Oxford before King Charles II. In the role of Venus occurred Moll Davies, a mistress of the king, on. Cupid was sung by her daughter Lady Mary Tudor, who was at that time only nine years old.

People

  • Venus - Soprano
  • Adonis - bass
  • Cupid - Soprano
  • A Shepherdess - Soprano
  • First Shepherd - Tenor
  • Second Shepherd - Bass
  • A hunter - Tenor

Prologue

Cupid armed with bow and arrow, occurs together with a group of shepherds. All together sing about the power of love before they retreat into the woods.

Act I

Venus and Adonis hug. Hunting music sounds. Venus persuaded Adonis, which is reluctant to leave the beautiful goddess, to join the hunt.

Second Act

Venus and Cupid talk about the art of love and teach a group of little cupids at that. It follows a dance of Cupids, then the now added which came Graces, during which the homage Cupids Venus.

Act Three

Venus plaguing dire forebodings. The mortally wounded by a wild boar Adonis is brought in. Adonis Venus dies in the arms and the masque ends with a funeral choir.

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