Girolamo Salieri uses only one theme from Vincenzo Bellini's 1830 opera "I Capuleti e Montecchi" to create a set of theme and variations for clarinet and piano. Salieri composes an original melody to open the work, which emulates the florid arioso style of Bellini's opera and links the impending Bellini melody with a clarinet cadenza. Tebaldo's ardent aria, "L'amo tanto e m'e si cara," from Act I, Scene 2 of Bellini's tragedia lirica opera is introduced and followed by four skillfully manipulated variations. A Piu mosso marks the brilliant coda and provides a rousing finale to Salieri's composition.
