''Silvano'' is a ''dramma marinaresco'' (literally a "seafaring drama") or

opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

in two acts by

Pietro Mascagni Pietro Mascagni (7 December 1863 – 2 August 1945) was an Italian composer primarily known for his operas. His 1890 masterpiece '' Cavalleria rusticana'' caused one of the greatest sensations in opera history and single-handedly ushered in the ...

from a

libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...

Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti (17 March 186330 May 1934) was an Italian librettist. Biography He was best known for his friendship and collaboration with the composer Pietro Mascagni. Most of his libretti were written in collaboration with Guido ...

, based on a novel by Alphonse Karr. It received its first performance on 25 March 1895 at

La Scala La Scala (, , ; officially , ) is a historic opera house in Milan, Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as (, which previously was Santa Maria della Scala, Milan, a church). The premiere performa ...

, Milan. Although rarely performed today, the music (if not the drama) is of some technical accomplishment, and when revived, ''Silvano'' has been favourably received. The

barcarolle A barcarolle ( ; from French, also barcarole; originally, Italian barcarola or barcaruola, from 'boat') is a traditional folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music composed in that style. In classical music, two of the most fa ...

from ''Silvano'' features prominently in a montage during the

Martin Scorsese Martin Charles Scorsese ( , ; born November17, 1942) is an American filmmaker. One of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Martin Scorsese, many accolades, including an Academ ...

film ''

Raging Bull ''Raging Bull'' is a 1980 American biographical sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Theresa Saldana, Frank Vincent and Nicholas Colasanto (in his final film role). The film ...

''.

Roles

Recordings

There has been one studio recording of ''Silvano'', recorded in 1995 and several live recordings, the earliest in 1954, and the most recent in 2003:Mascagni.org
Silvano Dirscography
/ref> * Orchestra Sinfonica della RAI conducted by Pietro Argento with

Aldo Bertocci Aldo Bertocci (9 May 1915 – 1 April 2004) was an Italian operatic tenor who sang both comprimario and leading roles in a career spanning the late 1940s to the mid-1970s. He sang in the world premieres of nine 20th century operas, most of them in ...

in the title role. Recorded live in Milan, 1954. Label: MRF MRF-81 (part of 3-LP set) *Orchestra Sinfonica della RAI conducted by Pietro Argento with Gianni Jaia in the title role. Recorded live in Milan, 1973. Label: Foyer ECF-13001 (CD) *Orchestra del Teatro Goldoni di Livorno conducted by Alberto Gaioni with Angelo Mori in the title role. Recorded live in

Livorno Livorno () is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of 152,916 residents as of 2025. It is traditionally known in English as Leghorn ...

, 1980. Label: Fonè 93 F 14 (part of 2-CD set) *Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic conducted by Peter Tiboris with Joseph Wolverton in the title role. Studio recording, 1995. Label: Elysium GRK 707 (CD) *Orchestra Clara Schumann conducted by Mario Menicagli with Maurizio Comencini in the title role. Recorded live in Collesalvetti, 2003. Label: Kicco KC095 (CD). In addition, the tenor aria "S'è spento il sol (Notturno)" and the ensuing "Barcarola" (used in the film ''

'') have been recorded separately a number of times.

References

External links

* {{Portal bar, Opera Italian-language operas 1895 operas Operas by Pietro Mascagni Operas Opera world premieres at La Scala Operas based on novels

Roles

Recordings

References

Further reading

External links