Episode 5
Donald Macleod discusses Paisiello's warm friendship with Napoleon Bonaparte and presents music from the composer's final years, when Naples was under French rule.
Paisiello's final years took place against a backdrop of political turmoil. Around the turn of the century, his home town of Naples was twice invaded by the French. Paisiello opted to remain behind and work for the new republican state. When the King of Naples was restored to the throne the second time, he turned his back on Paisiello, leaving him in a state of poverty and disgrace for the remaining months of his life. Donald introduces music from Paisiello's final years, including the overture to 'Proserpina', dedicated to his friend and supporter, Napoleon Bonaparte, an excerpt from his penultimate stage work 'Il passaggio de Monte San Bernardo' composed to honour Napoleon's brother Joseph, and part of the Mass for the Dead dedicated to members of the Neapolitan royal family.
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Music Played
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Giovanni Paisiello
'Chi vuol la zingarella' (from 'Zingari in fiera')
Performer: Cecilia Bartoli (soprano)
- Decca 436267-2.
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Giovanni Paisiello
Proserpina – Overture
Performer: Collegium Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Performer: Gennaro Cappabianca
- Naxos 8.557031.
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Giovanni Paisiello
Missa Defunctorum: from Offertorium to end
Performer: Daniela Dessi (soprano) Performer: Carmen Gonzales (alto) Performer: Paolo Barbacini (tenor) Performer: Giorgio Tadeo (bass) Performer: Cambridge University Chamber Choir Performer: Orchestra of the Festival of Martina Franca Conductor: Albert Zedda
- Fonit Centre CDC92.
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Giovanni Paisiello
Passagio de Monte San Bernado: 'Del mio gentil Sebeto'
Performer: Keith Lewis (Apollo) Performer: Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: David Parry
- Opera Rara Orch101.
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Giovanni Paisiello
Il barbiere di siviglia
Performer: Act IV: T9 Recit – from Rosina: ‘e si abbandona al pianto’ Performer: to end. Performer: Kristina Laki (Rosina) Performer: Dénes Gulyás (Count Almaviva) Performer: István Gáti (Figaro) Performer: Sándor Sólyom-Nagy (Don Basilio) Performer: József Gregor (Bartolo) Performer: Hungarian State Orchestra Conductor: Ádám Fischer
- ASV CDDCA873.
Broadcasts
- Fri 11 Feb 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 11 Feb 201122:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 10 Jun 201612:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 10 Jun 201618:30BBC Radio 3
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