Adriana Lecouvreur: Act II, Aria: Acerba voluta (mezzo-soprano): Serious Opera, Orchestra Accompaniment, Full Score

The four-act opera ADRIANA LECOUVREUR was composed by Francesco Cilea (1866-1950) and premiered on November 6, 1902, at the Teatro Lirico in Milan, with Angelica Pandolfini in the title role and Enrico Caruso in the role of Maurizio. The libretto is by Arturo Colautti, and it is based on a play by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé, where some of the characters are based on actual historical figures, although the story itself is fictional. Despite a plot that includes multiple romantic entanglements, unrequited loves, misunderstandings, and murder-by poisoned-violets, the work is considered among the verismo operas, if it is less realistic than others classified as such. The title role has remained a favorite for sopranos with large voices since its premiere, and the opera holds a regular place in the repertoire. The mezzo-soprano aria, "Acerba voluttà, dolce tortura," is sung by the Princess de Bouillon at the beginning of Act II as she anxiously waits for Maurizio to join her at his villa. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.3.1.0: Timp.Perc(1): Hp.Clst.Clock: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Solo MzSop.