La serva padrona:
What to Listen for
The performance of La serva padrona will be accompanied by piano and sung in Italian without the use of an English
translation. Brush up on some of the music to help you follow the story.
“Sempre in contrasti” (“Always in contrast”)
This aria* is sung by Uberto at the beginning of the opera.
He complains that Serpina, his servant, was late in bringing
him his chocolate and now he is leaving and won’t receive
it. He tells Serpina that he does not like waiting for things.
Pergolesi captured Serpina and Uberto’s strained
relationship in this aria through the use of short rhythmic
motifs (themes). Listen for the words “e qua e là”, “e su e
giù” and “e sì e no”. These phrases depict the constant
arguing between our two characters.
“Son imbrogliato io già” (“I am all perplexed”)
This is a recitative*** and aria that takes place at the end
of the opera after Serpina has told Uberto that she is
engaged to be married. It is here that Uberto discovers his
true feelings for Serpina. The recitative is written in two
styles. The first is simple recitative where the characters
sing only with a subtle accompaniment in the piano. You
will notice that the accompaniment has very little movement
using chords only to support the singer with some tonality.
The second style is recitative has more movement and can
be heard in the accompaniment through rapid notes.
This is a da capo aria** and it is easy to delineate the
sections as there is always an instrumental interlude
between them. This is called a ritornello. The A and B
sections are also very contrasting in character as the A
sections move mainly through jumps or leaps and the B
section moves in stepwise motion.
*Aria:
A self contained piece
of music sung by one
individual that is used
to express a feeling.
They are normally
sung with orchestral
accompaniment.
**Da capo aria:
The most common form of aria
during the Baroque period. A
da capo aria was a solo piece
in two parts, normally labeled
A and B, that repeats the first
section of the song at the end
of the piece.
***Recitative:
A passage of vocal music in an
opera in which words are sung
in a way that imitates speech.
Recitatives are used to further
the plot.
Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ La serva padrona Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392
LISTENING MAP:
“Son imbrogliato io già” (“I am all perplexed”)
Listen to ths excerpt online! Please note, it starts just after
Serpina has left the room.
Style
Characters
Text synopsis
“Vuol vedere il mio sposo?”
(“Would you like to see my
husband?”)
Serpina and Uberto
Serpina has just told Uberto that she
has accepted a proposal of marriage
and asks if he wants to meet her future
husband.
“Or indovina chi sarà
costui!”
(“Guess who is Serpina’s
husband to be!”
Uberto
Serpina leaves and Uberto continues
to sing in recitative, speculating that
having a husband treat her as she has
treated him may be her penance.
Recitative
accompanied by
more rapid moving
notes and musical
interjections from
the piano
“Oh poveretta lei!”
(“Oh poor girl!”)
Uberto
Uberto then begins to doubt himself
and his thoughts turn to marrying her
himself. His mind rushes from thought
to thought, not completing many of
them and showing us his confusion.
Part A
“Son imbrogliato io già”
(“I am all perplexed”)
Uberto
Uberto admits to having feelings for
Serpina but is not sure what those
feelings are.
Part B
“Io sto fra il sì e’l no”
(“I hesitate between yes
and no”)
Uberto
Uberto tells us of his indecision
regarding Serpina: part of him wants
her and part does not.
Part A repeated
“Son imbrogliato io già”
(“I am all perplexed”)
Uberto
Uberto repeats the first section
of the aria.
Recitative
Recitative
with subtle
accompaniment
Da capo aria
Listen for
How does the musical accompaniment differ in the
recitative versus the aria? How is Uberto’s confusion
reflected in the music?
How has Uberto’s character developed in this opera?
How has Pergolesi shown this development in the
music?
Written by Tamara Newberry, teacher candidate,
Faculty of Education, Queen’s University (2010).
Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ La serva padrona Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392