“Io son l’umile ancella” from Adriana Lecouvreur
Francesca Cilea (1866-1950)

THE STORY

     Francesco Cilea’s 1902 opera Adriana Lecouvreur is based on the play of the same name by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé. Its subject is the French actress Adriana Lecouvreur, yet the story is largely fictional—including its tragic ending, involving death by poisoned violets. 
     “Io son l'umile ancella” is an aria from the first act, in which Adriana is preparing for a performance at a theatre company and responds to praise by singing, “I am the humble servant of the creative spirit.” The expressive rubato (rhythmically free) melody makes it a favorite of sopranos with large voices. 

The text and translation for this work are available in the printed program at the concert hall or in the printable program online.

INSTRUMENTATION

Two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, timpani, harp, strings