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RE: Verdi and the Sefardim
- From: music <music...>
- Subject: RE: Verdi and the Sefardim
- Date: Sun 03 Aug 2003 21.33 (GMT)
Irwin wrote:
> Below I have attached a picture with a transcription of
> the theme of the Agnus Dei from Verdi's Requiem next to
> a transcription of a Halleil theme for Pesach, used by
> the Portuguese Jews in Amsterdam.
>
> Both themes are strikingly similar. Do you know whether
> one of the themes was based on the other, or if both
> themes have a source in common?
I await answers with eager interest, as I was always intrigued
(or since I learned of it) by the clear resemblance/appropriation
between Verdi's "Addio, del passato" from LA TRAVIATA and
the Sephardic song "Adio, querido." I used to think Verdi
borrowed the melody from "Adio, querido" but was persuaded
that it was almost certainly a borrowing in the opposite direction
(i.e., by us from Verdi, in a time-honored Jewish fashion).
Very eager to hear in re Irwin's example--and, certainly, if
there's more to say about "Addio/Adio"!
--Robert Cohen
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