La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621; No. 21: Act II, Recitative e Aria: S'altro Che Lagrime: Serious Opera Score & Parts

La Clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus), K. 621 was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) in 1791 after he had almost finished Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). Commissioned to celebrate the coronation of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, as King of Bohemia, it was written very quickly and was considered to be a weaker work by the young composer. In the 20th century, a reevaluation of the opera has resulted in its inclusion among the fifty most often staged works in the repertoire. Telling the story of the Roman Emperor Titus, and the mercy he showed to his would-be assassins, the original three-act libretto by Pietro Metastasio was adapted by numerous other composers, although Mozart's two-act version was revised by Caterino Mazzolà. Near the end of the second act, Vitellia expresses to her sister, Servilia, how guilty she feels for orchestrating the failed assassination attempt on Titus, as Sesto is sentenced to death to protect her. Servilia then sings the aria S'altro Che Lagrime (sometimes spelled S'altro Che Lacrime), pointing out that tears alone will not save Sesto. The soprano aria is among the most popular in the opera, which premiered in Prague at the Estates Theatre on September 6, 1791. Instrumentation: 1.1.0.1: 2.0.0.0: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Solo Sop. (vocal score not included).