Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

ca. 1698 in Naples, Italy

Death

:

1756 in Madrid, Spain

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Riccardo Broschi was an Italian composer of the Baroque era, born in Naples in 1698. He was the younger brother of the famous castrato singer Carlo Broschi, also known as Farinelli. Riccardo Broschi began his musical career as a singer, but later turned to composition, writing primarily for the opera stage. Broschi's early life was spent in Naples, where he received his musical education. He studied with the composer Francesco Durante, who was also the teacher of many other famous composers of the time, including Niccolò Jommelli and Giovanni Paisiello. Broschi's first known composition was a cantata, written when he was just 18 years old. In 1725, Broschi moved to Venice, where he began to make a name for himself as a composer. He wrote several operas for the Venetian stage, including "Artaserse" and "Idaspe", both of which were well-received. In 1732, Broschi moved to London, where he became the director of the King's Theatre. He continued to compose operas, including "Merope" and "Alessandro nell'Indie", which were performed in London to great acclaim. Broschi's most famous work is his opera "Idaspe", which was first performed in Venice in 1730. The opera tells the story of the Persian king Artaxerxes and his love for the Greek princess Mandane. The music is characterized by its virtuosic vocal writing, which was designed to showcase the talents of the singers who performed it. The opera was a huge success and was performed throughout Europe, including in London, Paris, and Vienna. Broschi's music is notable for its use of the da capo aria form, which was popular in the Baroque era. This form consists of two sections, with the second section repeating the first with embellishments. Broschi's arias are known for their elaborate ornamentation and virtuosic vocal lines, which were designed to showcase the talents of the singers who performed them. In addition to his operas, Broschi also wrote several cantatas and instrumental works. His cantatas are notable for their expressive melodies and emotional depth. His instrumental works, which include sonatas and concertos, are characterized by their lively rhythms and virtuosic solo passages. Broschi's career was cut short by his death in Madrid in 1756. He was just 58 years old. Despite his relatively short career, Broschi left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music. His operas and cantatas continue to be performed and recorded today, and his influence can be heard in the music of many later composers, including Mozart and Rossini.

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