Larry Lipkis’ two chamber operas, Peronelle (1990) and Simonetta (2022), are based on the lives and loves of two medieval/Renaissance artistic luminaries—Guillaume de Machaut and Sandro Botticelli, respectively.
The premiere of Simonetta took place on September 30 and October 1, 2022, in New York City at the University Settlement House. The performances by members of the American Chamber Opera Company received glowing reviews from the New York critics:
“Larry Lipkis’ music is rhapsodic… it moves like the wind, sweeping the audience ahead in a lush display of melody and instrumentation… The ensembles, particularly the finales at the ends of several of the scenes, were exquisitely composed, not to mention brilliantly sung by this fine cast.” – Jan Ewing, NYC Theater
“Simonetta swims in exquisite, familiar functional harmonies. Despite the relatively small ensemble, the music achieved some tenderly sorrowful lows, as during the ghostly reference to the famous eight-note “Dies Irae” plainchant melody upon Vespucci’s death, and thunderously dramatic heights, as with the show-stopping and surprisingly loud tutti crescendo at the conclusion of the third scene.” – Brad Ross, New York Theater Wire
The plot of Simonetta traces the relationships of the artist Sandro Botticelli, his young model Simonetta Vespucci, and the fiery Dominican preacher Savonarola, who wishes to turn Florence into a theocracy. Sandro, smitten by Simonetta’s beauty and devastated by her early death, becomes unmoored and allows himself to be swayed by Savonarola’s nihilistic teachings, to the point of burning his own works of art in the “bonfire of the vanities.” As he descends into madness, the spirit of Simonetta appears and admonishes Sandro to stay true to his commitment to create and preserve his art for the ages.
Simonetta is in one act, five scenes, with a libretto by Robert Block. The running time is about 65 minutes. The cast is: Simonetta (soprano); Pino Lippi (alto or countertenor), Botticelli (tenor), Savonarola (baritone). There is also a part for a children’s chorus, which may be pre-recorded. The work can be performed with piano or an orchestral accompaniment of 6 instrumentalists.
Watch the complete opera on YouTube:
More information about Simonetta, including excerpts of scores and libretto, can be obtained by contacting Larry Lipkis at lalipkis@moravian.edu