La croce d’oro (Italian for The Golden Cross) is an opera in 3 acts by Henrique Oswald to an Italian libretto. It was composed in 1872.[1] No performances of it are registered. The work remains unpublished.[2]

La Croce d'oro
Opera by Henrique Oswald
Oswald in 1907
LanguageItalian

History edit

The Golden Cross was the first opera composed by young Oswald. The librettist is not identified. The manuscript score consists of 237 pages.[1]

In this work the composer prefers great sonorous masses and a dense orchestral texture. Concerning the voices and their relation with orchestra, it seems that he inclined to the dramatic school of voicing.[1]

Scoring edit

There are six main characters (2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bariton, bass) and a mixed chorus (SATB).[1]

The orchestra consists of piccolo, flutes, oboes, clarinets (in B), bassoons; trumpets (in F), trombone (in F), bass trombone (ophicleide); harp; timpani, gran cassa, piatti; strings.[1]

Structure edit

The opera is divided in Italian manner into separate musical numbers: recitativos, arias, duets, quartets, choruses and intermezzi.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Flávio Carvalho. (Re)conhecendo as três óperas de Henrique Oswald (1852–1931) através de seus manuscritos
  2. ^ Susana Cecilia Igayara. Henrique Oswald e a música vocal. Revista Glosas. Revista do Movimento Patrimonial pela Música Portuguesa, v. 9, p. 19-25. Setembro 2015.