This album is a world premiere recording of Pietro Auletta's opera L'Orazio.
Critical Reception
The success of L'Orazio led to its continuous metamorphosis, with numerous interpolations and misattributions, including a 1942 version attributed to Pergolesi.
Interpretation
For this recording, the basso continuo was limited to harpsichord and cello, reflecting historical practices of Neapolitan opera buffa from the 1730s and 1740s.
Composition History
The opera's authorship became confused early on; by 1743, the music of L'Orazio was attributed to Pergolesi-Latilla, a misattribution that persisted for centuries.
Composition History
Due to constant alterations and the lack of an original 1737 score, it is impossible to establish an 'original version' of L'Orazio; it became a pastiche soon after its creation.
Composition History
Pietro Auletta's L'Orazio was a highly successful opera, staged 20 times across Europe between its 1737 premiere in Naples and 1764.
Interpretation
The performers on this recording avoided the common, anachronistic use of instruments like theorboes, colascioni, and guitars in the basso continuo for Neapolitan opera buffa.
