related works
Vertooning : for harp solo, 1997 / Willem Jeths
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Harp
Scoring:
hp
Symphonia 4 : 1962 / Oscar van Hemel
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2222 4331 timp perc cel xyl hp str
Canto : for orchestra, 2000 / Bart de Kemp
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4221 vibr hp str
L’OEuvre au Noir : Suite Nº 2 for symphony orchestra / Frédéric Devreese
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2fl(picc) 2ob 2cl 2fg 4h 3tpt 3trb tb tomp perc hp pf org str
composition
Ritratto : Orchestral suite / Willem Jeths
Other authors:
Jeths, Willem
(Composer)
Description:
Ritratto is the Italian word for 'portrait' and the title of this opera. The young orphaned and married, excessively wealthy Italian Marchesa Casati strove to be seen throughout her life. She was famous for the exuberant parties she organized. She allowed herself to be portrayed or photographed by numerous artists.
With her black-rimmed eyes, her flaming red hair and eccentric behaviour she tried to gain a place in the art world. Against the background of the first world war, the libretto questions the importance of art.
At a feast of Casati, all sorts of artists from the time of Casati are brought together. At the time, it was the Futurists who paved the way for fascism with their art. Casati does not engage with secular problems and focuses on her passion. In opera she goes even further than in real life; by not seeing, she tries to be seen herself.