Tremate, empi, tremate
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| "Tremate, empi, tremate" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Ludwig van Beethoven | |
 Carl Weinmüller sang the bass part in the premiere | |
| English | Tremble, ye impious, tremble! |
| Key | B-flat major/E-flat major |
| Opus | 116 |
| Text | Giovanni de Gamerra |
| Language | Italian |
| Performed | 27 February 1814: Vienna |
| Scoring | soprano, tenor, bass and orchestra |
"Tremate, empi, tremate", Op. 116, is a vocal trio composed by Ludwig van Beethoven for soprano, tenor and bass vocalists with orchestral accompaniment.[1] It was written in 1802 and was completed by early 1803, while Beethoven was a student of Antonio Salieri.[1][2] It was composed as an exercise in setting Italian texts in preparation for being able to write ensembles in opera.[3][2] The text of the song was written by Giovanni de Gamerra.[1]
"Tremate, empi, tremate" did not have its premiere until a concert on 27 February 1814 in Vienna, at which Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F major was also premiered, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A major and Wellington's Victory were also performed after having had their premieres the previous December.[1][2] At the premiere, the soprano part were taken by Anna Milder-Hauptmann, the tenor part was taken by Giuseppe Siboni and the bass part was taken by Carl Weinmüller.[1] Later in 1814, Milder-Hauptmann and Weinmüller would originate the roles of Leonore and Rocco, respectively, in the premiere performance of Beethoven's revised opera Fidelio.[1] Milder-Hauptmann had also originated the role of Leonore in Beethoven's original version of the opera in 1805. The trio was later performed at a concert in Vienna on 23 May 1824, at which Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Kyrie from Missa Solemnis, and Consecration of the House overture were also performed.[2][4] At this concert, Geronima Dardanelli sang the soprano part, Domenico Donzelli sang the tenor role and Pio Botticelli sang the bass part.[2][4]
The trio is in three sections. The first section has a tempo of allegro and is in the key of B-flat major at an allegro tempo.[2] The section starts with a "spirited" vocal by the bass on the verse "tremate, empi, tremate/dell' ire mie severe/su quelle fronti altere/il fulmine cadra" (Tremble, ye impious, tremble!/My stern wrath/Shall strike like a thunderbolt/Upon those haughty brows).[5] The soprano and tenor then sing their lines in a calmer melody before the bass returns in the more vigorous style he began the song with.[5] The second section is andante in E-flat major and resembles some of Mozart's andante music.[2][5] The final section is allegro assai and again in B-flat major.[2][5]
