Giuseppe Millico, a soprano castrato, was known as 'Il Moscovita' (the 'Muscovite') by his countrymen after returning from working at the Russian imperial court.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Giuseppe Millico's ideal singing style, especially after meeting Gluck, was the expressive cantabile, focusing on natural delivery without excessive ornamentation.
Composition History
Gluck's opera 'Le feste d'Apollo' was commissioned by Empress Maria Theresia for her daughter's wedding and included a shortened, re-orchestrated version of his earlier 'Orfeo ed Euridice'.
Composer Biography
Gluck entrusted his beloved niece and adopted daughter, Nanette, to Giuseppe Millico for singing lessons, indicating their close working relationship in Vienna.
Critical Reception
Antonio Sacchini's opera 'Il Cid' achieved a triumphant breakthrough in London in 1773, running for twenty-two consecutive performances, a success that even Handel could not match with his popular operas.
Compositional Technique
Gluck transposed the role of Orfeo upwards for Giuseppe Millico, a soprano castrato, which increased the work's impact and led to the soprano version being widely performed.
Compositional Technique
Gluck's aria 'Oh del mio dolce ardor' from 'Paride ed Elena' uses strings to depict 'sweet ardour' and features a deeply affecting vocal line with delicate oboe echoes, entirely without coloratura flourishes.
You might also enjoy...
Hasse: Italian Cantatas With Obbligato Instruments
Italian Cantatas (Baroque) - Caldara / Sarri, D. / Lotti, A. / Aldrovandini, G.V.A. / Mancini, F. / Torri, P. (Echoes of Love)
Musica Sacramontana
Handel: English Cantatas and Songs
Arias from Berlin's operatic history
Christmas Baroque Cantatas (German) - Schelle, J. / Petritz, B. / Erlebach, P.H. / Jacobi, C.A. / Liebe, C. / Bessel, J.E.
Turkish Folk Songs Accompanied by Orchestra
Feo, F.: Missa Defunctorum / Confitebor
Rodgers & Hart: Songs from the Shows
Campra: Cantates Françaises
New People: Contemporary American Works for Voice, Viola, and Piano
