The cantatas in the Zurich codex, including some on this album, are believed to be from the composer Benedetto Marcello's early life, and he likely wrote many of the poetic texts himself.
Composition History
Over three hundred cantatas are attributed to Benedetto Marcello, the composer, and are found in major libraries across Europe and America.
Compositional Technique
Benedetto Marcello's Sinfonie a quattro, featured on this album, are all in three movements and were likely originally overtures for serenades, intermezzos, oratorios, and cantatas.
Composition History
The cantatas on this recording are based on a splendidly illustrated manuscript from the Schneider-Genewein Collection in Zurich, which was once listed as 'location unknown' in a catalogue.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Marcello, the composer, was a fierce critic of contemporary opera, believing its debasement was due to the audience's poor taste, and advocated for music aimed at an elite audience.
Composer Biography
Benedetto Marcello, the composer, was born into a noble Venetian family and was active in both music and literature.
