THE UNINHABITATED ISLAND

Theatrical action in two parts on a libretto by Metastasio, The uninhabited island welcomes Haydn’s attempt to approach the style of Gluck’s ‘reformed’ opera seria: from the wide recourse to recitative accompanied by the programmatic cues of the splendid Overture; from the interpenetration between musical and dramaturgical aspects to the impressive overall number that closes the work, with four concert instruments. Composed in 1779 for the court of Eszterházy, the work tells the story of Constance and Silvia, abandoned on a deserted island. Constance’s husband, Gernando, was kidnapped by pirates during a trip to the West Indies, and only three years later he manages to reach his grief-stricken wife and her younger sister. He lands on the island together with his friend Enrico (Ernesto in some sources), whom young Silvia falls in love with. Despite the many difficulties and a compelling series of misunderstandings, the love between the two couples triumphs, in a happy ending sealed by a splendid quartet.