Alessandro Scarlatti's Il Mitridate Eupatore

Although more commonly known for his chamber cantatas, Alessandro Scarlatti’s works span over several different styles, including church music, motets, masses, serenades and operas. Of the many operas he wrote, few have been held in such high regard as his opera, titled Il Mitridate Eupatore. At the time of its release, Eupatore was deemed as a failure, although it has grown in popularity since Scarlatti’s time. Some possible reasons for the opera’s failure, along with a biography on Scarlatti, a summary of the opera itself and its orchestration, will unfold within the coming paragraphs.

In order to have a better understanding of Alessandro Scarlatti, it is imperative to have an outline of his life. Born May 2nd, 1660 in Palermo, Scarlatti was exposed to music at an early age. At the age of 12, he was sent to Rome, and in 1678, 6 years following his move to Rome, he was married. The same year, he was appointed maestro di cappella of S Giamoco degli Incurabli. By this point in his life, he had already composed two operas, one of which has no title, the other named Gli equivoci nel sembiante. As word spread around about Scarlatti’s popularity, the public eye began to see

Unlike most operas, Il Mitridate Eupatore is laid out in five acts, instead of the traditional three. As well, there are two different stage settings in each act, with the usual concluding display scene at the end of Act 5. Much like Scarlatti’s other operas, Eupatore is in the simple form of recitative-plus-aria. In fact, 31 of its 38 scenes follow this form, while only one scene begins with an aria, and only one ends with the recitative. Also, there are three duets and one perfunctory quarter at the end. One element common to Scarlatti’s operas that occurs within Eupatore is the opening of scene with an orchestral sinfonia. Acts III and IV follow this suit, as well as the sixth scene of Act I. These orchestral sinfonias are commonly used for display scenes, as is the case with the following excerpt:

Il Mitridate Eupatore begins with our protagonist, Antigono, and his wife, Issicratea, wanting to take over reign of Pontus. Mitridate and Issicratea have been exiled from Pontus, so in order to attain entrance into the kingdom, they disguise themselves as Egyptian ambassadors. Meanwhile, King Farnace has been wanting to capture Mitridate. Mitridate, while in disguise, promises the king that he will bring him the head of Mitridate. Word quickly spreads about the king wanting the head of Mitridate, and Laodice, Mitridate’s sister, soon finds out. She is devastated by the news, and is deeply saddened. Mitridate finds his sister and informs her of his plot to take over Pontus. Laodice is ecstatic about the false nature of his brother’s impending death, and they both gather a large group and continue on to the kingdom. Mitridate, still in disguise, presents the king with a box which he claims holds the head of Mitridate. While Farnace is looking in the box, Mitridate quickly stabs him. Queen Stratonica finds out about her husband’s death and requests that Mitridate kill her immediately. While he is hesitating, Issicratea waists no time in killing the queen. Mitridate and Issicratea are successful in their att

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