Date Added: 1/3/2008
Posted by:
 mls
 mlsrepertoireonline.com

Author/Source:
TORELLI

Viewed: 4063 times

Born at Verona in the middle of the seventeenth century, Guiseppe Torelli was a musician of high standing, and above all, a virtuoso violinist ranking among the greatest. To him is ascribed the honor of having originated the concerto.
Only the melody of the aria, Tu lo sai (Well thou knowest), has been taken from the collection of old Italian songs edited by Albert Fuchs; the modernized accompaniment has been ably transcribed by Pietro Floridia. Because of its operatic type, concert and recital artists have in it one of ten most useful of the early Italian songs for their programs. It is the type of song that singers call "grateful".
Tu lo sai is an intense and passionate love song. It must be sung with feeling and with fervor, but there must also be a certain amount of restraint and reserve to bring out the full beauty of the melody and the meaning of the words.
The editor's suggestions for dynamics for both the piano and vocal parts are of exceptional value. Therefore, any comment on the interpretation is unnecessary. However, those whose vocal technique is as yet undeveloped should beware of the very exacting climax. There is an optional high note which is effective if sung well. But unless the tone is balanced perfectly, forcing will result. Therefore it is better for young singers to sing the lower notes and prevent pushing the voice. Much can be gained by singing the melody on different vowel-sounds as in a vocalize, before the words are sung. The words contain many 00's and 0h's, and if these vowels are practiced separately the words will be much easier to sing with proper balance of resonance.