Dear friends,
finally I found the time to write a new blog to tell you about my research and my concerts.
In these days I’m engaged in important research on manuscripts of the last great composer of the Neapolitan school of the eighteenth century: Nicola Antonio Zingarelli. I'm transcribing some of his symphonies for orchestra. As you may recall, in May 2010, during the Week of Culture, I gave a lecture entitled: "Nicola Antonio Zingarelli: neapolitan music in the heart of Europe."
On that occasion I outlined a bit 'the figure of this great composer, teacher of Vincenzo Bellini and Saverio Mercadante, now almost completely forgotten.
Zingarelli was born in Naples on April 4, 1752 and died in Torre del Greco, near Neaples on May 5, 1837. Despite the miserable social conditions from which he came, Zingarelli was able to make their way in a short time. In 1781 he put on stage at the San Carlo theatre in Naples, his first opera, Montezuma. He was “maestro di cappella” of Milan Cathedral and then come to the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto, where he spent ten years writing 564 sacred works. Leaving Loreto moved to Rome and became Kapellmeister of Pope Pius VII.
Happened here one of the most incredible episodes of his long life. It was 1811.Napoleon occupied Rome with his army when he was born his son, Napoleon II, who gave him the title King of Rome. Zingarelli, choirmaster, was chosen to write a Te Deum in honor of the newborn infant, but the Neapolitan composer patriotically refused to follow orders, replying that he recognized as King of Rome only the Pope Pius VII, in exile. The composer was arrested and sent to France to be tried by the Emperor. But when arrived, he wasn’t executed, but he was commissioned a Mass for which he obtained a considerable sum of money.
Zingarelli was extremely prolific author. But today his work is not represented, nor any of his music performed in theaters and concert halls.
For years I have been a rehabilitation project of his music. These days I had the opportunity to rediscover in the library of the Conservatory of Music in Naples “San Pietro a Majella ", the autograph of one of his last works, a funeral symphony who composed in Torre del Greco a few months before his death, perhaps with the intention that it was played to his funeral.
It is moving to see the handwriting of this old composer, which marks the notes in an increasingly uncertain, as if the life, about to go out, no longer able to write the notes written during his long journey. This score has never been performed, nor for the death of Zingarelli, nor after.
I hope, a transcript is over, to find soon an orchestra that wants to play this music under my direction!
From Rome's all for now!
It is moving to see the handwriting of this old composer, which marks the notes in an increasingly uncertain, as if the life, about to go out, no longer able to write the notes written during his long journey. This score has never been performed, nor for the death of Zingarelli, nor after.
I hope, a transcript is over, to find soon an orchestra that wants to play this music under my direction!
From Rome's all for now!
Leopoldo Fontanarosa
