Catulli Carmina is a cantarta by Carl Orff dating from 1940–1943. The work mostly sets poems by the Roman poet Catullus (c. 60 B. C.) to music, with some text by the composer. Catulli Carmina is part of Trionfi, the musical triptych that also includes the Carmina Burana and Trionfo di Afrodite. The Chorus and soloists are in the pit with the orchestra, leaving the stage for the dancers and other characters.
A play within a play, it has a prologue, three short acts and an epilogue. At the start, young couples profess their undying love only to be ridiculed by a group of old men who know better. They exhort the young people to watch a play on the experiences of Catullus and Lesbia, to know what love is all about. The play follows Catrullus’ affair with Lesbia, whom he rejects at the end of the play. This cautionary tale does not move the young couples, who profess their undying love for each other to the chagrin of the old men.
As a contrast in every way, we round out the program with the love duet from Charles Gounod's Faust.
