“Se un amor tiranno” Aria from the opera Artaserse by Maltese composer Giuseppe Arena (1707-1784) produced by MAV College

On the 27th May 2023, Mikiel Anton Vassalli College presented the project Ġawhar Misjub, literally meaning Discovered Gems, which focuses on the operatic music of late Maltese composers. This live performance shows the Aria “Se un amor tiranno” from the opera Artaserse by late Maltese Composer Giuseppe Arena (1707-1784).

Giuseppe Arena was born in Valletta in 1707. Around 1724 he began furthering his musical studies in Naples at the Conservatorio dei Poveri di Gesu Cristo. Arena’s musical talent was immediately recognised and he was also Francesco Durante’s assistant ( a major Italian composer of the time). . Around 1738, he premiered six of his operas. Other works included Tigrane, Artaserse, La Clemenza di Tito, Alessandro in Persia, and his groundbreaking comic opera Il Vecchio Deluso.

The libretto of the Opera Artasersere was written by the famous 18th century librettist Pietro Metastasio (1698 1782). Most of the plot lines revolve around historic Kings, Emperors or heroes, such as the story of the Greek hero Achilles and the Persian King Artaxerxes. In 1741 Arena wrote the three act opera Artaserse on this famous libretto by Pietro Metastasio, which deals with the Persian King and the son of Serse the first.

This opera dwells on love, betrayal and antagonistic events. In the Aria “Se un amor tiranno” performed, Mandane (one of the characters) cannot believe that her beloved turned out to be such a cruel man. Arena’s appoggiaturas and trills seem to suggest the tormented lover and they almost mirror her sobs.

The main objectives of such multi-disciplinary arts performance produced by Mikiel Anton Vassalli College, is to serve as an artistic educational environment where students of the visual and performing arts can take part in the actual live productions alongside professionals in the sector – thus bridging the studies/education with the performing arts industry.