THE GHOSTS OF HAMLET

Thursday, March 13, 7.30PM

Bohemian National Hall
321 E 73rd St, New York, NY 10021

Le Concert de l'Hostel Dieu

Roberta Mameli soprano

Program
Arias and Sinfonias, extract from:
Ambleto, Francesco Gasparini, Venise 1705
Ambleto, Domenico Scarlatti, Rome 1715
Ambleto, Giuseppe Vignati, Milan 1719
Ambleto, Giuseppe Carcani, Venise 1742
Libretto from Zeno and Pariati

Illustrated talk by John Brewer

The legend of Prince Hamlet, first told in Saxo Grammaticus Gesta Danorum, is the basis for Shakespeare’s famed tragedy, but in the 18th century, the same tale inspired numerous Italian operas. Sadly, these operas have an important point in common: they have all been lost! Musicologist Paolo Vittorio Montanari has worked meticulously to research and reconstitute these works, making possible the creation of a completely original new project, based on musical fragments rediscovered in different Italian libraries.

These long-lost scores composed by Scarlatti, Gasparini, Carcani, and Vignati focus primarily on two female characters from Hamlet’s orbit: the romantic Veremonda (who Shakespeare named Ophelia) and Gerilda (Gertrude), Hamlet’s mother, who is torn between love for her son and passion for her cold and unfaithful husband. The charismatic and dynamic soprano Roberta Mamelli brings to life these two women who inspired Scarlatti and his contemporaries to compose arias that are expressive, brilliant, and charming in turns. In addition to the pleasure of discovering such delectable musical tidbits unfamiliar to modern ears, this project transports you into Hamlet’s exciting, ambiguous, and fascinating universe, with his ghosts animating a pleasant stroll through a rediscovered Italian Baroque landscape.

No refunds, no exchanges. Artists, programs, dates, and prices are subject to change.

Programs and artists are subject to change. If an event presented by Aspect Chamber Music Series is cancelled or postponed, we will announce the change—if time permits—by email, phone, a letter sent to your home, and on www.aspectmusic.net.