Cherubino's Aria (Mozart)

Brand utilizes the flutes as the featured instrument in this lighthearted arrangement of Cherubino's Aria from the Mozart's opera "The Marriage of Figaro." The song, entitle "Voi che sapete" (Tell me fair ladies), is introduced in the opera as if written by Cherubino himself and is simply a diversion rather than of relevance to the plot. Although initial reaction to "The Marriage of Figaro" was somewhat lukewarm, it has of course established itself as one of the great comic operas, and this canzona became and 18th century "pop" song.

Genre: Solo Flute with Band | # of Players: Standard + 1
Level: 2.5 | Duration: 3:15

Instrumentation
Solo Flute

2nd Flute
Oboe*
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet*
Bassoon*
1st Eb Alto Saxophone*
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone*
Bb Tenor Saxophone*
Eb Baritone Saxophone*

1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
1st F Horn
2nd F Horn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone*
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion (glockenspiel)

Parts marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intentions to be achieved.

Program Notes
This 'Canzona' comes from Mozart's comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro," first performed in Vienna in 1786.

Cherubino is a young page in the household of Count Almaviva, although the role is written for a soprano and usually cast for a singer with 'boyish' looks. The song, entitle "Voi che sapete" (Tell me fair ladies), is introduced in the opera as if written by Cherubino himself and is simply a diversion rather than of relevance to the plot.

Although initial reaction to "The Marriage of Figaro" was somewhat lukewarm, it has of course established itself as one of the great comic operas, and this canzona became and 18th century "pop" song.