The birth of public opera in Venice in 1637, initiated by Ferrari and Mannelli's L'Andromeda, transformed opera from an entertainment for the elite into a form accessible to anyone who could afford a ticket.
Performer Biography
Anton Raaff, a German tenor born in 1714 and pupil of the castrato Bernacchi, was one of the most celebrated singers of the 18th century; Mozart even wrote the title role of Idomeneo for him in 1781.
Composer's Artistic Vision
This album challenges the prejudice that the tenor voice was rarely featured in Italian opera until 1750, showcasing its significant presence throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
Historical Context
Rome initially resisted Venetian operas due to papal opposition, considering them unsuitable for the seat of Christianity, but they began to be heard there from 1671 with the opening of the Teatro di Tor di Nona.
Compositional Technique
During the 17th century, the compass of the tenor voice in opera progressively lowered towards the baritone register, partly to counterbalance the high pitch of castrati and prima donnas.
Historical Context
By the 1720s, the tenor voice became strongly associated with the role of the sovereign in opera, occupying a new prominent position.
Composer Biography
Francesco Cavalli, a pupil and colleague of Monteverdi at St Mark's Basilica, dominated Venetian theatres for 30 years after Monteverdi's death in 1643, even producing multiple operas for all Venetian theatres during the same Carnival season.
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