Mazzaferrata: Canzonettas & Cantatas for 2 Voices, Op. 3

Featuring

Carlotta Colombo
Gianluca Ferrarini
Lucia Cortese
Marta Fumagalli
Mauro Borgioni
Michele Pasotti

Paola Barbieri
Ugo Nastrucci
La Ghirlanda Mosicale
Giovanni Battista Mazzaferrata

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Mazzaferrata chose poems by Gasparo Ugolini, whom he called "Apollo del secol nostro," for most of his compositions, focusing on themes of love, sorrow, and hope.

Compositional Technique

The vocal parts in Mazzaferrata's works are sometimes virtuosic, featuring melismas and great leaps, anticipating the bel canto style.

Composition History

Giovanni Battista Mazzaferrata's Op.3, "Canzonette e cantate a due voci," published in 1668, received "universal applause" and was reprinted twice.

Recording & Production

This recording is a project of the Vittadini Conservatory of Pavia, with Ugo Nastrucci transcribing and editing the music from the original print.

Compositional Technique

Mazzaferrata's compositions feature various Baroque forms, including arias in duet, solo arias with basso continuo, recitatives, and theatrical speech.

Composer Biography

Giovanni Battista Mazzaferrata, an Italian composer and organist, held positions as Maestro di cappella at Vercelli Cathedral and the Accademia della Morte in Ferrara.

Compositional Technique

Mazzaferrata's music employs rhetorical figures and madrigalisms, such as rising melodies for words like 'un monte inalza' (a mountain rises) and vivace tempos for 'fugite' (flee).