At the beginning of the 18th century, Venice was known for its extravagance, with Christmas celebrations occurring amidst the three-month-long Carnevale.
Composition History
The Sonata in G major for psaltery and basso continuo by Fulgenzio Perotti, a specialist psaltery teacher at the Ospedale della Pietà, was likely composed for a student named Caterina.
Performer Biography
Arte dei Suonatori, the Polish ensemble on this recording, was founded in 1993 by violinists Ewa and Aureliusz Goliński and is known for its historically informed performances.
Critical Reception
Johann Adolph Hasse, a composer known for his 'mixed' style, overshadowed Vivaldi in Venice, with audiences preferring his fashionable works.
Instruments
The psaltery, an instrument with a sweet yet emphatic sound, gained similar significance to the organ during Christmas celebrations in Venice and was frequently used there.
Compositional Technique
Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in E major, RV 266, from his later period, synthesizes his theatrical, spiritual, descriptive, and virtuoso knowledge, using E major to convey sweetness.
Historical Context
During Christmas in 18th-century Venice, people, including priests and even the Papal envoy, wore masks for about six months, making them unrecognizable to their parishioners.
