"Festeggia, mio core" -- Che fiero costume -- Fattorini, "Eteocle e Polinice: dramma per musica in 3 atti" (1675), "Festeggia" only in 1680 revival

Speranza Tebaldo Fattorini's "Eteocle e Polinice: dramma per musica in tre atti" (tratto da Euripide, Fenicie, ed Eschilo, I sette contro Tebe) was the first libretto set to music by Legrenzi when he came to Venice in 1674. "Eteocle e Polinice" indeed became so popular that it was performed later in Milano and Modena, and went through three editions. Fattorini, in his preface, warns the reader that his heroes compariscono su le scene di questa reggia molto diversi da quello che su le scene dell'Ausonia gli viddero i secoli transandati. Fattorini adds that he has not observed any rule except quello del diletto né ha saputo prefiggersi altro fine, che l'universale compiacimento." In the "Argomento", Fattorini relates the story as told by Statio, in the Tebaide, of the decree of Edipus that his twin sons should (how else?) rule alternately (diarchia) in Tebe. Then, with the introductory "Si finge", which had already become traditional, Fattorini develops his own plot. Eteocle after his father Edipo's death mercilessly slays all the Theban nobles who would have supported his brother. Adrasto, re d'Argo, has two daughters: Aigia, betrothed to Polinice, and Deifile, promised to Tideo, Principe d'Etolia. So far, believe it or not, Fattorini follows the legend. The opera begins as Polinice, Adrasto, Tideo, and Deifile prepare to besiege Thebes. As it happens, Antigona had previously fallen in love with Tideo, while Tideo was ambassador to Tebe and not yet betrothed to Deifile. As it also happens, Tideo had promised Antigona marriage, but on his return to Argo his affection was transferred to Deifile. In the assault on Tebe, Tideo is wounded, swoons, and is rescued by his page. But then, Deifile and Polinice are taken prisoners. Eteocle falls in love with Deifile but Deifile spurns him as a tyrant. Eteocle orders his minister Cleante to have Deifile slain. Antigona pleads with Eteocle in vain for Polinice's life. Then, dressed as a man, Antigona enters the prison with Eteocle's seal, which she has stolen, and aids Polinice to escape. Polinice and Antigona then join Adrasto as does Tideo. Argia, learning that Antigona is a woman, doubts Tideo's faith. Cleante brings Eteocle a wild beast's heart, saying it is Deifile's, and Eteocle raves with remorse and grief. Inflamed by the news of the supposed death of Deifile, Polinice and his friends overthrow Eteocle, who repents in chains. Only then does Deifile consent to marry him. Antigone claims Tideo, and Argia is reconciled with Polinice. Legrenzi's opera ends with the sextet singing: POLINICE -- Argia. ETEOCLE -- Deifile. ANTIGONA -- Tideo. dolcezza d'amore ---------------------------- a beatemi il core ----------------------------- a nel seno ridenti ---------------------------- b piovete contenti ---------------------------- b in placida calma ---------------------------- c tranquì11issi l'alma ------------------------ c e reso giocondo ----------------------------- d rida il ciel, rida Tebe, e rida il mondo ---- d A novella Tebe indeed, and the structural resemblances to Medoro in this cheerful adaptation of a story proverbial for its grim series of tragedies are obvious. The triple love interest, the lady masquerading as a knight, the siege, are common to both plays. Again there are echoes of Ariosto: Argia's jealousy of Marfìsa. A new element is the substituted heart, which adds a folktale motif (also of course familiar in novella and romance) to the synthesis.