Mattinata ('Tis the Day) [transposed to D] Cover Image

Mattinata ('Tis the Day) [transposed to D]: Medium Voice, Orchestra Accompaniment, Conductor Score & Parts

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Mattinata ('Tis the Day) [transposed to D] Cover Image

Mattinata ('Tis the Day) [transposed to D]: Medium Voice, Orchestra Accompaniment, Conductor Score & Parts

By Ruggero Leoncavallo, ed./arr. (Composer Anonymous)/ Italian text by Ruggero Leoncavallo. English translation by Edward Teschemacher.

Item: 36-A532090

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Description
Mattinata ("'Tis the Day") was composed in 1904 by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), the Italian composer best known for his verismo opera Pagliacci. Written originally for voice and piano and later orchestrated by the composer, the song holds a special place in recording history: it was commissioned by the Gramophone Company and premiered as one of the earliest pieces written specifically for the phonograph, recorded by the celebrated tenor Enrico Caruso in 1904 with Leoncavallo himself at the piano. The text presents a joyful morning serenade in which a lover urges his beloved to awaken and greet the beauty of the day, set to music of radiant lyricism and graceful Italianate charm. Thanks to Caruso's famous recording, Mattinata quickly became one of the most widely known art songs of the early 20th century. Today it remains a favorite recital piece for tenors and is frequently performed in both piano and orchestral versions. While the original was written in the key of E, this edition has been transposed down to D. Instrumentation: 1.1.2.0: 1.0.0.0: Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): [Solo Voice]: CS (Pno-Cond) in set. Reprint edition.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Vocal Library
Publisher: EDWIN F KALMUS
UPC: 612735785567
SKU: 36-A532090
Instrumentation: 1.1.2.0: 1.0.0.0: Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): [Solo Voice]: CS (Pno-Cond) in set

More about this title

About the Composer: Ruggero Leoncavallo

Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857, 1919) was an Italian composer whose career spanned the height of verismo opera. While he is remembered primarily for Pagliacci, his 1897 melodrama that remains a staple of the operatic repertoire, Leoncavallo was a prolific writer across multiple genres, including operettas, songs, and orchestral works. He possessed an instinctive gift for memorable melody and emotional directness, qualities that made him one of the most performed composers of his era.

Leoncarallo's willingness to embrace new technology set him apart from many of his contemporaries. When the Gramophone Company commissioned Mattinata in 1904, he saw the phonograph not as a threat but as an unprecedented vehicle for reaching listeners worldwide. His decision to record the premiere with Enrico Caruso proved prescient; that recording became one of the defining vocal performances of the early 20th century and helped establish the art song as a viable vehicle for the recording industry.

Why we love this

Mattinata offers orchestras the rare opportunity to accompany a solo voice in repertoire that carries both historical weight and genuine musical substance. The orchestration is transparent and supportive, allowing the focus to remain on the singer while giving the ensemble meaningful material to shape. This transposition to D makes the piece accessible to a wider range of voices without sacrificing the song's essential character.

What to expect

Mattinata radiates the gentle optimism of an Italian morning, all dappled sunlight and graceful invitation. The melody flows with Leoncavallo's trademark lyricism, never straining for effect, while the orchestration sketches in delicate colors, harp, strings, and woodwinds creating an atmosphere of intimate serenading that somehow feels both personal and timeless.

Who it's for

This edition serves singers in the medium voice category seeking a beloved art song that sits comfortably in the lower transposition while retaining its lyrical beauty. It is equally valuable for orchestras wanting to feature a soloist in a work of historical significance and enduring popularity, whether in a formal recital setting or as part of a concert program celebrating the early 20th century.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the orchestral texture to support rather than dominate the vocalist; the harp and string writing should shimmer beneath the vocal line, not compete with it.
  • Establish a warm, unhurried tempo that allows the Italian text to sing naturally and the melody to bloom without rushing through the phrases.
  • Shape the orchestral accompaniment with attention to the harmonic progressions; Leoncavallo's romantic chromaticism rewards subtle dynamic shaping from the conductor.
  • Ensure the conductor and soloist maintain clear communication during rehearsals so that the ensemble can respond to the singer's phrasing and breathing without losing forward momentum.

How to use it

Program Mattinata as a centerpiece for a concert segment exploring early 20th-century vocal repertoire or as a solo feature that showcases your collaboration between singer and orchestra. Its historical resonance pairs well with other recordings-era repertoire, making it ideal for concert themes exploring the phonograph's influence on musical culture. The transposition to D also makes it suitable for casting singers who might not otherwise have access to Leoncavallo's most famous song.

Skills your students will build

  • Accompanying and balancing a solo voice within full orchestral texture
  • Shaping romantic-era chromaticism and harmonic progression
  • Maintaining flexibility and communication between conductor and vocal soloist
  • Performing transparent, accompaniment-focused string and woodwind writing

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