LA SERVA PADRONA (recap)

University of the Philippines
College of Music
Graduation Recital 2024
Juan Diego V. Alcudia, (Uberto) baritone
Daniella G. Silab, (Serpina) soprano
Djanggo Alagar, (Vespone) mute servant
Collaborating Artists:
Trisha Kay G. Piao, piano
Miggy Delos Santos, violin
Christine Faith Cruz, oboe
Jhon Carlo Dela Cruz, flute
La Serva Padrona by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
With English translation of recitatives- Gennaro Antonio Federico
La Serva Padrona (The Servant Turned Mistress) is a short comic opera performed between the acts of a serious opera. It was composed by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and premiered in 1733.
Characters:
Uberto: A wealthy, grumpy bachelor.
Serpina: Uberto’s clever and ambitious maid.
Vespone: Uberto’s mute servant.
Act 1: Uberto is frustrated with Serpina, his maid because she is becoming increasingly assertive and domineering in his household. Despite her behavior, Uberto relies on her to manage his home. Serpina, recognizing her influence over Uberto, devises a plan to elevate her status.
Uberto, tired of Serpina's bossiness, decides that he wants to marry to regain control of his household. He orders his servant, Vespone, to find him a suitable wife.
Act 11: Serpina, determined to marry Uberto herself, tricks him by pretending that she is going to marry a rich but brutish soldier named Tempesta. She describes Tempesta in a way that makes Uberto jealous and anxious about losing her.
Vespone, following Serpina's plan, disguises himself as Tempesta. Serpina tells Uberto that he must either marry her or pay a hefty dowry to Tempesta to take her off his hands.
Uberto, caught between his feelings and the prospect of losing Serpina, eventually agrees to marry her, thus turning the servant into the mistress of the house.