Baldassare Galuppi - Il Caffe Di Campagna - Capella Savaria, Pirona

 

Release Date: August 18, 2000 Label: Hungaroton Number of discs: 2 Composer: Baldassare Galuppi Performer: Capella Savaria cd info/ buy

Review:

The Capella Savaria (Szombathely) was founded in 1981 by Pál Németh. Their aim is to play 17th and 18th century music using the documents of the period. The play on authentic instruments with copies of bows of the epoch, studying the instrumental tutors of the Baroque era, referring to articulation, embellishment and, in wider sense, the characteristic sound of the whole period. The basis of the ensemble is strings, which are joined by other instruments as required. The string section are genuine 17th and 18th century instruments. The ensemble repertoire consists mainly of works from the first half of the 18th century, but also includes music from the 17th century and the Viennese Classics. They perform works ranging from solo pieces to operas by Monteverdi to Mozart, for any number or combination of players. Alongside the main schools of this period (Italian, French, German and English works), they also include Hungarian works.

 

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Galuppi - Il Mondo della Luna - Piva, Intermusica Ensemble

 

Release Date: February 15, 1999 Label: Bongiovanni Number of discs: 3 Composer: Baldassare Galuppi Performer: Franco Piva, Intermusica Ensemble cd info/ buy

Review:

Galuppi is a mostly forgotten composer today but in his time he was one of the earliest composers (who worked directly with Goldoni) of opera buffa and helped establish its traditions and format. His score is fresh, simple, varied, and embracing a sense of "cause and effect" psychology that is delightful on one hand, yet biting and cynical on the other. The cynicism and bite derive from the text but Galuppi's music brings it forward in ways that I didn't think Rococo music could. There's a disturbing quality to some of the numbers where the bright, vivid orchestration betrays an underlying cruelty where no character comes out the winner in the end. Hence, this opera is 100% satire! (of Venetian civility... apparently, but it works just as good on contemporary humanity as well; self interest never dies) This is probably one of Bon Giovanni's best recordings,'a theater recording without audience. I have all but the highest praises for the sound of this opera. Both orchestra and performers are up to the task. I would also recommend to listen to both Paisiello and Haydn's operas of the same name which were based on Galuppi and Goldini's original. It's a great way to experience the 18th century tradition of re-using old librettos with new scoring. You also get to compare and contrast each composers approach and style. Haydn thought enough of Galuppi's score to directly adapt a melody from this opera to the first act finale of his "L'Incontro Improviviso". If you're looking for early opera buffa in the Rococo style that's chalk full of biting satire, good orchestration and characterization, than this is for you!

 

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