Giovanni Paisiello, born in 1740, was the son of a veterinarian and attended Jesuit school for eight years, where his musical talents were first recognized.
Composer Biography
Paisiello served as maestro di cappella for Catherine II in St. Petersburg from 1776 to 1784, a period during which he composed his famous opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
Composer Biography
Paisiello experienced political turmoil, losing his positions and salary during the revolution in Naples, but later received the Légion d'Honneur from Napoleon.
Composition History
Paisiello's career in opera began after a successful comic intermezzo led to a commission for an opera, Il Ciarlone, from the Bologna Theatre.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Paisiello excelled in comic and semi-serious opera, where his strong inspiration and melodic invention allowed him to create scenes of delightful sentimental spontaneity.
Composition History
While returning to Naples, Paisiello stopped in Vienna, where he met Mozart and composed the opera Il Re Teodoro in Venezia for Joseph II.
Compositional Technique
The overtures on this album, mostly from the 1780s, feature simple, compact orchestration, distinctive dynamic play, and clear melodies with linear development, reflecting an enlightened musical idea.
