Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

January 4, 1710 in Jesi, Italy

Death

:

March 16, 1736 in Pozzuoli, Italy

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was an Italian composer of the Baroque era, born on January 4, 1710, in Jesi, Italy. He was the son of Francesco Draghi, a musician and teacher, and his mother was Marzia Gherardini. Pergolesi showed an early interest in music and began his musical education at a young age. He studied under Francesco Santini, a local musician, and later with Francesco Durante, a prominent composer in Naples. Pergolesi's early works were mainly vocal compositions, including sacred music and operas. His first opera, "La Salustia," was performed in Rome in 1732, but it was his second opera, "La serva padrona," that brought him international fame. The opera was first performed in Naples in 1733 and was an immediate success. It was later performed in Paris in 1752, where it sparked the famous "Querelle des Bouffons," a debate between supporters of Italian and French opera. Pergolesi's music was characterized by its lyricism, simplicity, and emotional expressiveness. He was a master of melody and harmony, and his works were admired for their elegance and grace. His music was also notable for its use of counterpoint, a technique that involves the interweaving of multiple melodies. In addition to his operas, Pergolesi composed a number of sacred works, including masses, motets, and oratorios. His "Stabat Mater," a setting of the medieval hymn, is one of his most famous works and has been performed and recorded by many artists. Pergolesi's career was cut short by his untimely death at the age of 26. He died on March 16, 1736, in Pozzuoli, Italy, from tuberculosis. Despite his short life, Pergolesi left a lasting legacy in the world of music. His works continue to be performed and recorded today, and he is considered one of the most important composers of the Baroque era. Early Life and Education Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was born on January 4, 1710, in Jesi, Italy. His father, Francesco Draghi, was a musician and teacher, and his mother was Marzia Gherardini. Pergolesi showed an early interest in music and began his musical education at a young age. He studied under Francesco Santini, a local musician, and later with Francesco Durante, a prominent composer in Naples. Pergolesi's early works were mainly vocal compositions, including sacred music and operas. His first opera, "La Salustia," was performed in Rome in 1732, but it was his second opera, "La serva padrona," that brought him international fame. Career and Composed Works "La serva padrona" was first performed in Naples in 1733 and was an immediate success. The opera was a comic intermezzo, a short work that was performed between the acts of a larger, more serious opera. The plot of the opera revolves around a maid, Serpina, who schemes to marry her employer, Uberto. The opera was notable for its use of simple melodies and harmonies, which were a departure from the more complex music of the time. The success of "La serva padrona" led to Pergolesi's appointment as the composer of the royal chapel in Naples. He composed a number of sacred works for the chapel, including masses, motets, and oratorios. His "Stabat Mater," a setting of the medieval hymn, is one of his most famous works and has been performed and recorded by many artists. Pergolesi's career was cut short by his untimely death at the age of 26.

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