The original cast of "Le finte contesse" featured an all-male cast, including two singers en travesti, due to the papal prohibition against women performing on stage.
Composition History
Giovanni Paisiello, the composer, wrote his first Intermezzo, "Le finte contesse," for the Valle theater in Rome in February 1766.
Recording & Production
This recording is a live performance from September 21, 2011, at the Cloister of the former San Francesco Convent in Taranto, as part of the 9th Giovanni Paisiello Festival.
Interpretation
This recording uses a reduced instrumental complement, following the original manuscript which was scored only for voice, violin, and bass, rather than integrating presumed missing parts.
Composition History
The libretto for "Le finte contesse," by an unknown author, is largely based on Pietro Chiari's successful work "Il marchese villano" from 1762.
Composer's Artistic Vision
With "Le finte contesse," Paisiello learned to quickly shift expressive registers and sketch characters with minimal musical gestures, a skill that contributed to his first comic masterpiece, "L'idolo cinese."
Compositional Technique
The Intermezzo, a subgenre of mid-18th century opera buffa, was a condensed light opera with typically four characters and a structure balanced between arias, duets, and multi-voice pieces.
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