Beethoven's 'Ah perfido!' was performed at his grand academy in Vienna on December 22, 1808, alongside the premieres of his 5th and 6th Symphonies and 4th Piano Concerto.
Critical Reception
E. T. A. Hoffmann, a German Romantic author and composer, praised the third entr'acte music from 'Egmont' as a 'masterpiece' for its depiction of the Duke of Alba's troops.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's 'Egmont' music includes a Melodram, where spoken text is supported by musical phrases, as in Egmont's monologue.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven stated that he wrote the music for 'Egmont' purely out of love for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the author of the play.
Historical Context
Goethe's play 'Egmont' possessed special relevance in 1810 Vienna, as Napoleon had by then conquered most of Europe.
Composition History
Beethoven's 'Ah perfido!' was premiered in Leipzig in November 1796 by Josepha Duschek, a soprano known for her friendship with Mozart.
Composition History
Beethoven was commissioned by the court theater to write accompanying music for the 1810 Viennese premiere of Goethe's play 'Egmont'.
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