La Clemenza di Scipione was Johann Christian Bach's last Italian opera for the English stage. It premiered at the King's Theater in Haymarket on April 4, 1778, and was very well received. The libretto was written by an anonymous diplomat to the English court and is relatively simple in design. The text provided Bach with plenty of vocal numbers, room for ballets, and a large divertissement. Bach's treatment of the orchestra is very advanced in La Clemenza di Scipione. The harmonies are rich and varied, and he exploits the coloristic possibilities offered him by full wind and brass sections. Dynamic contrasts, changes in textures, orchestral effects, and thematic recurrences wed the music to the dramatic action. The choruses are very striking and well conceived, as are the other larger forms. There are no da capo or dal segno arias in this work; these had gone out of fashion. However, there are several of the new concertante arias, whose large-scale formal design and textural variety were derived from the instrumental concerto. Concertante arias usually feature two contrasting themes and a development section as in a sonata, as well as a cadenza for the vocalist and an orchestral ritornello. The most famous aria of this type was "Infelice in van ma'fanno," which featured concertante parts for solo oboe, violin, cello, and flute. This aria is thought to have influenced Mozart when he created "Martern aller Arten" for Die Entführung aus dem Serail. Mozart's aria is scored for the same group of obbligato instruments, and bears other similarities to Bach's piece as well.

© Rita Laurance, All Music Guide