Page:A Dictionary of Music and Musicians vol 3.djvu/252

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240
SCARLATTI.
SCENA.

published one book of 30 pieces, entitled 'Esercizii per gravicembalo,' etc., printed according to Burney in Venice, but at any rate before Aug. 1746, when the Prince of the Asturias, whose name is on the title-page, ascended the throne. In the Fétis collection is a Paris edition, 'Pieces pour le claveçin,' 2 vols., published by Mme. Boivin (who died Sept. 1733) and Le Clerc.[1] '42 Suits[2] of Lessons' were printed by B. Cooke [App. p. 781 "John Johnson (at the Harp and Crown, Cheapside)"], London, under the supervision of Scarlatti's friend Roseingrave (between 1730 and 1737, when Roseingrave went out of his mind). [App. p.781 " in 1752 John Worgan obtained the sole licence to print certain new works by Domenico Scarlatti, and published them (at J. Johnson's, facing Bow Church, Cheapside). These were twelve sonatas, most of them new to England."] Czerny's edition (Haslinger, Vienna, 1839), containing 200 pieces, was re-edited (Paris, Sauer, Girod) and revised by Mme. Farrenc from Roseingrave's edition, and MSS. then in possession of Rimbault. There are also 130 pieces in Farrenc's 'Tremor des Pianistes' (1864); 60 Sonatas are published by Breitkopf; and 18 pieces, grouped as Suites by von Bülow, by Peters.

Though the technique of pianoforte playing owes so much to Domenico Scarlatti, he did nothing towards the development of the sonata.

There seem to have been other musicians of this name, as Mr. Haberl of Ratisbon saw in Rome a melodrama 'Agnus occisus ab origine Mundi,' signed Francesco Scarlatti, and there is at Monte Cassino a score by Pietro Scarlatti, 'Clitarro,' with intermezzi by Hasse.

[ F. G. ]

SCARLATTI, Giuseppe, grandson of Alessandro, born at Naples 1712. Of his artistic life but little is known. He settled in Vienna in 1757, up to which date he had produced the following operas:—'Pompeo in Armenio' (Rome, 1747); 'Adriano in Siria' (Naples, 1752); 'Ezio' (Ib. 1754); 'Gli effetti della gran Madre Natura' (Venice, 1754); 'Merope' (Naples, 1755); 'Chi tutto abbraccia nulla stringe' (Venice, 1756). In Vienna he brought out eight more at the court theatre:—'Il mercato di malmantile,' and 'L'isola disabitata' (1757); 'La serva scaltra' (1759); 'Issipile' and 'La Clemenza di Tito' (1760); 'Artaserse' (1763); 'Gli stravaganti' (1765); 'La moglie padrona' (1768). He died at Vienna Aug. 17, 1777.

SCENA (Gr. Σκηνα; Lat. Scena; Ital. Scena, Teatro, Palco; Ger. Bühne, Auftritt; Fr. Scène, Théâtre; Eng. Scene, Stage). A term, which, in its oldest and fullest significance, applies equally to the Stage, to the Scenery it represents, and to the Dramatic Action which takes place upon it. Hence, the long array of synonyms placed at the beginning of this article.

I. Classical authors most frequently use the word in its first sense, as applying to that part of a Greek or Roman Theatre which most nearly answers to what we should now call the Stage; and the classical tendencies of the Renaissance movement led to its similar use in the 16th century. Thus, in Peri's 'Euridice,' printed in 1600, we find the following direction: 'Tirsi viene in Scena, sonando la presente Zinfonia con un Triflauto'—'Thyrsis comes upon the Stage, playing the present Symphony upon a Triple Flute. [See Opera.]

II. In its second sense, the word is commonly applied, in England, to those divisions of a Drama which are marked by an actual change of Scenery; a method of arrangement which is even extended to English translations of foreign works.

III. In the Italian, German, and French Theatres, the word is more frequently used, in its third sense, to designate those subordinate divisions of an Act[3] which are marked by the entrance, or exit, of one or more members of the 'Dramatis personæ'; a new Scene being always added to the list, when a new Character appears upon, or quits the Stage, though it be only a Messenger, with half-a-dozen words to say, or sing. The ostensible number of Scenes, therefore, in an Italian, or German Opera, is always far greater than that indicated in an English version of the same work. For instance, in the original Libretto of 'Der Freischütz' 7 Scenes are enumerated in the First Act, 6 in the Second, and 17 in the Third; whereas the popular English translation only recognises 1 in Act I, 2 in Act II, and 3 in Act III. An attempt to introduce the Continental practice to the English Theatre was made, some years ago, in the collection of Operas called 'The Standard Lyric Drama' (Boosey & Co.); and, as it has been revived in the excellent 8vo editions now publishing by Messrs. Novello, it is to be hoped that uniformity of custom may be eventually established, at least in all translated works.

IV. In a more limited sense, the term Scena is applied, by Operatic Composers, to an Accompanied Recitative, either interspersed with passages of Rhythmic Melody, or followed by a regular Aria. In the former case, the word is generally used alone and always in its Italian form: in the latter the Composition is sometimes called 'Scena ed Aria.' Less frequently, the place of pure Recitative is supplied by the introduction of short strains of Melody, with strongly-marked variations of Tempo. But, in all cases, it is de rigueur that the character of the Composition should be essentially and unmistakably dramatic throughout. The Scena, thus defined, is as old as the Opera itself; for the name might very well be given to the Scene from 'Euridice,' already alluded to; or to the 'Lamento' in Monteverde's 'Ariana.' A very fine example, much in advance of its age, will be found in 'Ah rendimi quel core,' from Francesco Rossi's 'Mitrane' (1688 [App. p.781 "1689"]). Handel used the Scena, with telling effect, both in Opera and Oratorio; as in 'Solitudini amate,' in 'Alessandro'; 'Il poter quelche brami,' in 'Scipio,' and 'Deeper and deeper still' and 'Farewell ye limpid streams,' in 'Jephtha.' Mozart's peculiar aptitude for this kind of Composition is well exemplified in his wonderful Scena for two Voices, 'Die Weiselehre dieser Knaben,' in 'Die Zauberflöte'; in innumerable delightful instances in his other Operas; and in a large collection of detached

  1. No. 10 in vol. ii. is an organ fugue by Alessandro Scarlatti.
  2. Which are not 'Suites,' but single movements.
  3. Ital. Atto; Fr. Acte; Ger. Aufzug—in allusion to the raising of the curtain.