Song Study Outline

Provides information necessary for Performance Notes which are required for all recitals
A short “note” is required for all songs studied each semester

Comme L’allodoletta
Title of Song

Composer … Stefano Donaudy (February 21, 1879 –May 30, 1925), son of a French father and an Italian
Full name mother, was a minor Italian composer active in the 1890s and early 20th century
Dates
his first opera Folchetto and one of his most popular songs, Vaghissima sembianza, to 1892,
Nationality when he was only thirteen.

Important works After studies with the director of Palermo's Conservatoire, Guglielmo Zuelli (a rival of
and Giacomo Puccini in his early years), Donaudy made a living as singing teacher, coach and
accomplishments accompanist for some of Sicily's wealthiest families, all while actively pursuing a career as a
composer. He wrote mostly vocal music, dividing his efforts between opera and song, though
he did also write chamber and orchestral music.

Practically all his song texts and libretti were supplied by or written at four-hands with his
brother, Alberto Donaudy (1880–1941), a poet whose style reflects the prevailing literary
tastes of the period, from Arrigo Boito and Gabriele D'Annunzio to Guido Gozzano.

Today, Donaudy's fame rests exclusively on his collection 36 Arie di Stile Antico, first
published by Casa Ricordi in 1918 with revisions in 1922, but using material composed from
1892 onwards.

Donaudy's final opera was premiered at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples on April 25, 1922:
La Fiamminga was an unmitigated fiasco, and Donaudy was so hurt that he abandoned
composition for the rest of his life. He died three years later, when he was barely forty-six.

Alberto Donaudy (1880-1941)

Poet / Lyricist …
Full name He was a lyricist of many of his brother’s works. 36 of his brother’s songs were collaborated
Dates and/or coworked with Alberto, including the libretto Sperduti nel buio and Theodor Korner.
Nationality
Important works
and
accomplishments

Analysis Info …
Key and/or Keys Key of B flat Major or Minor?
Form 2/4 times signature: 2 beats per measure-quarter note gets 1 beat
Mood
Other
performance Sad, melancholy, flowing
consideration

Recordings … https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uac
find 2 – 3 and t=8&ved=0CB0QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv
list the sources %3D5sxl_MqO3Rw&ei=V_YiVMOpAoz98AGI5oH4Bg&usg=AFQjCNFY-
… UjDBtXBcZgaJPy7Mwxyr-
 svEQ&sig2=xWNTMySax1bq3dNklCgr8w&bvm=bv.76180860,bs.1,d.b2U
YouTube (only
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l1Cg8mu-5w
NAXOS
Prof. recording

What is your
interpretation?
It a song about the loss of love, nature, happiness and the balance of the three. It uses the
metaphor of a lark, or bird, flies over the fields and as it flies happiness and love diminishes
What does this
and dies. It also uses the metaphor of a frost and its ability to kill the flowers slowly.
piece mean to
you? It reminds me of the change in seasons, and the darkness and hardships I have encountered at
different points in my life.
What do you
want to I want to communicate the sadness of a world without love or happiness.
communicate
through this
piece?

** See next page (reverse) for additional instructions

1. List and translate all foreign language markings in your score …

Like the little skylark through the meadows,

So flee peace and happiness
From a gentle heart in which love rules alone!

Every joy, every sweetness passes

From a gentle heart in which love rules alone;
And the soul, which feels the weight of it
Dies of cold like a flower!

Andantino un poco lento: a bit slow

Sentito: felt
Dolciss: sweetness, gentleness
Poco rall: little slow
Rall col canto: slow singing
Ten ma non troppo: but not too much
Poco cresc accel: little louder and faster
Allarg: Broadening, becoming slower; sometimes accompanied with increased volume.
Sost assai: sustained much
A tempo morendo: return to original tempo and fade/die

3. Using all of the above information, compose a 3 – 5 sentence program note for this song. The note should
contain both factual information and interpretive comments.

Brothers Stephan (1979-1925) and Alberto Donaudy (1880-1941) were most known for their romantic and flowing italion
works in from the late 1890’s up till the 20th century. In Comme L’allodoletta the two collaborated, with Alberto
supplying the lyrics and his older brother Stephan composing the melody. Its melancholy tune and metaphorical images
of a lark and nature stir audiences to feel sadness in the flowing Italian aria. It tells the story of a lark flying over the
fields leaving death and sadness in its wake.