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Justin Holland
Scraps from the Operas arranged for Two Guitars

No. 8 - Maritana

 

Justin Holland, Scraps From The Operas

Opera: Maritana
Composer: William Vincent Wallace
Premiere: London, 1845.

Scrap 1: Andantino.

The King's minister, Don Jose, sings In happy moments, day by day in Act 2 of 3. If anyone can translate the Victorian babble into understandable English, please do. In any case, Don Jose is in the midst of his schemes to win the object of his desires, the King's wife.

Scrap 2 (1:39): Cantabile.

This is the famous Scenes that are brightest, from Act 3. It has been called "one of the most admired of all English songs." Once again, who knows what the lyrics are trying to say? Maritana is set up in a magnificent room in the King's palace, but despairs of ever being re-united with Don Caesar, whom she married earlier that day.

After Don Caesar enters and thwarts the King's designs on Maritana, the music is heard again when Don Caesar and Maritana are left alone. At the very end of the opera, the music is used for the big choral finale: "Viva, Maritana! May thy name be great in story, may thy fame be bright in glory."

The music also appears twice in the Overture.

Scrap 3 (3:21): Vivo.

This lively waltz is nowhere to be found in my "complete" recording of Maritana. Humph.

PLAY OPERA SCRAP NO. 8 - "Maritana"

Next Opera Scrap: No. 9 - "Martha 1"
Previous Opera Scrap: No. 7 - "Lucrezia Borgia"
Index of all 20 "Scraps From The Operas"

 


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