Although Beethoven never had an opportunity to compose an Italian opera, several concert arias give us a little glimpse into what might have been. These include Opus 66, “Ah! perfido” (Day 70) and today’s entry “No, non turbarti” (WoO 92a), probably composed in early 1802.
Beethoven likely composed the concert aria “No, non turbarti” (“No, do not fear”) under the tutelage of Antonio Salieri. It has a text by prolific librettist Pietro Metastasio, who was also the source of many of the texts of the WoO 99 Italian Part-Songs (Day 148).
Beethoven’s “No, no turbarti” is a recitative and aria from Pietro Metastasio’s libretto “La Tempesta” (“The Storm”). The complete cantata libretto, which includes a second recitative and aria, was previously set by J. C. Bach and by Viennese composer Marianna Martines in 1778.
Beethoven wrote “No, non turbarti” for a soprano and string orchestra, but the narrator is male. In the recitative, he pleads with a shepherdess named Nice to take shelter from a threatening storm (heard in the strings) despite her rejection of his prior amorous pursuits. In the aria section (“Ma tu tremi” or “But you’re trembling”), they are safe in a cave and he comforts her. This is the same text that Beethoven used for the second of the Italian Part-Songs as performed by the Kallias Sängertrio in yesterday’s video.
#Beethoven250 Day 149
“No, non turbarti” for Soprano and Strings (WoO 92a), 1802
Soprano Lana Carver in a lovely performance of this concert aria, and what is apparently the only live performance on YouTube.