Jommelli and a New Theatre in Stuttgart
Donald Macleod explores Jommelli's work in Stuttgart where, in the 1760s, he was at the height of his career, earning a good wage and managing musical activities to his own liking.
Described as the "New Orpheus", whose music had people literally rising to their feet in rapt attention, Niccolo Jommelli was patronised by the Pope, sought by many Royal Courts as their Director of Music, and was seen by many as the greatest opera composer of his day.
During the 1760s Jommelli was at the height of his career, earning a good wage at the Stuttgart Court, and managing all musical activities largely to his own liking. Next came the completion of a new theatre, which could accommodat more lavish and complex operas, such as Jommelli's Il Vologeso. Jommelli experimented in the world of sacred music too, as his later sacred works, with their great range of expression, often demonstrate.
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Music Played
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Niccolò Jommelli
Aria So che fanciullo Amore from LOlimpiade (1761)
Performers: Venice Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas Phan (Clistene)tenor, Markellos Chryssicos (conductor)
- Naïve: V5295.
- 2.
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Niccolò Jommelli
Scene IX - Scene XII Act I, from Il Vologeso (1766)
Performers: Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Jörg Waschinski (Vologeso) soprano, Gabriele Rossmanith (Berenice) soprano, Mechthild Bach (Flavio) soprano, Helene Schneiderman (Lucilla) mezzosoprano, Daniel Taylor (Aniceto) countertenor, Lothar Odinius (Lucio Vero) tenor, Frieder Bernius, conductor,
- Orfeo: C420983F.
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Niccolò Jommelli
Mass in D (1766)
Performers: Prague Chamber Choir, Virtuosi di Praga, Judy Berry (soprano) Marta Benačková (mezzo-soprano) John La Pierre, tenor, Niholaus Meer (baritone) Hilary Griffiths (conductor)
- Orfeo: C453001A.
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Niccolò Jommelli
Aria So che fanciullo Amore from LOlimpiade (1761)
Performers: Venice Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas Phan (Clistene)tenor, Markellos Chryssicos (conductor)
- Naïve: V5295.
- 2.
![]()
Niccolò Jommelli
Scene IX - Scene XII Act I, from Il Vologeso (1766)
Performers: Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Jörg Waschinski (Vologeso) soprano, Gabriele Rossmanith (Berenice) soprano, Mechthild Bach (Flavio) soprano, Helene Schneiderman (Lucilla) mezzosoprano, Daniel Taylor (Aniceto) countertenor, Lothar Odinius (Lucio Vero) tenor, Frieder Bernius, conductor,
- Orfeo: C420983F.
![]()
Niccolò Jommelli
Mass in D (1766)
Performers: Prague Chamber Choir, Virtuosi di Praga, Judy Berry (soprano) Marta Benačková (mezzo-soprano) John La Pierre, tenor, Niholaus Meer (baritone) Hilary Griffiths (conductor)
- Orfeo: C453001A.
Broadcasts
- Thu 24 Jan 201312:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 24 Jan 201318:30BBC Radio 3
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