Riccardo Zandonai was one of the last Italian operatic master craftsmen. Although many Italian composers after him continued to write operas, none will show the same consistent dedication or would produce such an impressive body of works. Composer of symphonic and chamber music as well as sacred music, Zandonai was also a sensitive and intelligent conductor.
Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater is a sublime piece of sacred chamber music. Originally composed for two castrato voices, strings and basso continuo, is arguably one of the most important works in music history, which influence stretches to Mozart, Haydn and beyond. A sublime summary of the religious and aesthetics of its time. It is also a simple man’s expression of religious sense
In the church Madonna del Pilar with its magnificent Baroque interiors and fine stuccoes on the 16th March 1822, by special concession as it was Lent, was celebrated the marriage between Gioachino Rossini and Ysabel Colbran crowning the great love and successful artistic alliance between the most prominent opera composer of the time and his muse.
Venice was an important and rich commercial centre, welcoming foreign merchants, businessmen dignitaries and aristocrats on the Grand Tour. The demand for entertainment was therefore high, particularly during the Carnevale, Some enterprising impresarios came up with the idea of setting up a public opera house, charging the public for the hire of boxes on a subscription system. The business turned out to be profitable. In a few years 16 theatres were built requiring a big number of new operas. By the end of 1600 the repertoire counted about 300 operas.