Episode 2
Donald Macleod explores Alessandro Scarlatti's first period in Naples, where he influenced the course of the city's opera, writing around 70 works for the stage.
Continuing our series on Alessandro Scarlatti, Donald Macleod focuses on the composer's first period in Naples, where he influenced the course of Neapolitan Opera.
As opera became less popular in Rome due to Papal decree, Alessandro Scarlatti soon moved to Naples to pursue his career for the stage. Donald Macleod surveys this period in Naples, where Scarlatti composed around 70 operas. We'll hear Le violette from Pirro e Demetrio, which had an international success.
Although Scarlatti greatly influenced the course of opera in Naples, he still relied upon other work to survive, including his appointment as the Maestro of the Royal Chapel. He composed over sixty cantatas during this period, frequently for the entertainment of Cardinals Ottoboni and Pamphili in Rome. We'll hear the cantata Gia lusingato appieno, linked in narrative to James II of England.
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Music Played
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Alessandro Scarlatti
O cessate di piagarmi, from Il Pompeo
Performers: José Carreras (tenor), English Chamber Orchestra, Vjekoslav Sutej (conductor)
- Philips 434926-2.
- 3.
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Alessandro Scarlatti
Già lusingato appieno
Performers: Lynne Dawson (soprano), The Purcell Quartet
- Hyperion CDA66254.
- 13 to 20.
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Alessandro Scarlatti
Le violette from Pirro e Demetrio
Performers: Nancy Argenta (soprano), Chandos Baroque Players
- EMI CDC7541762.
- 22.
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Alessandro Scarlatti
Suite in G major
Performers: Martino Noferi (recorder), Il Rossignolo, Ottaviano Tenerani (harpsichord & director)
- CPO 999856-2.
- 13 to 17.
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Alessandro Scarlatti
Magnificat
Performers: Anna Simboli (soprano), Elisabetta Tiso (soprano), Paolo Costa (alto), Gianluca Ferrarini (tenor), Sergio Foresti (bass), Concerto Italiano, Rinaldo Alessandrini (director)
- Naïve OP30350.
- 12 to 21.
Broadcasts
- Tue 1 Jun 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 1 Jun 201022:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 1 Nov 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 1 Nov 201118:00BBC Radio 3
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