Research: The Metamorphoses of Armida: The Dramaturgical Evolution of a Tasso-inspired Subject in Seventeenth-Century Musical Theater
The subject of Armida, inspired by Tasso's epic poem, stands as one of the most enduring and captivating themes in the history of opera, transcending centuries and cultural boundaries. This study focuses on its early adaptations within the realm of Italian musical theater in the seventeenth century, examining the transformations and evolutions undergone by the librettistic repertoire during this pivotal period. The research spans from the debut of the subject on stage around 1600 to 1686, the year of the French edition of Armide by Lully and Quinault, which marked a turning point and initiated a new librettistic tradition across the Alps.
Through a detailed analysis of key literary sources and seventeenth-century Italian opera librettos, the study highlights how the character of Armida was adapted to meet the shifting social, political, and cultural demands of the time. Particular attention is given to the role of "magic" and "the marvelous," central elements in a work that, while rooted in Christianity, transcends the conventions of traditional mythological theater.
This analytical journey aims to trace the stylistic and dramaturgical evolution of the subject, linking it both to the production context of the operas and to modern perspectives offered by gender studies. The study thus provides a fresh interpretative framework to understand the centrality and versatility of the character of Armida in the landscape of Baroque musical theater.