Domenico Freschi
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Domenico Freschi (26 March 1634 – 2 July 1710) was an Italian composer
and Roman Catholic priest. From the age of 22 until his death he worked as a church musician and composer in Vincenza. He was also active as an opera composer from 1671-1685.
, Freschi was appointed the maestro di cappella at the Cathedral of Vicenza on 14 December 1656; just a few years after his ordination. He remained in that post until his death in Vincenza 53 and a half years later. His sacred music compositions were frequently performed at the cathedral and at other major churches in Vincenza during his lifetime.
In addition to his work as a church musician and composer, Freschi also had an active career as an opera
composer. Of his 16 known operas, 11 of them premiered at theatres in Venice and 5 of them at the opera house in Piazzola sul Brenta
. His first opera, Ifide greca (libretto by Nicolò Minato
, premiered in Venice in 1671. His second opera, Helena rapita da Paride was performed for the inauguration of the Teatro Sant'Angelo in Venice in 1677. His last opera to premiere, Gl'amori d'Alidaura, was performed in Piazzola sul Brenta in 1685.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and Roman Catholic priest. From the age of 22 until his death he worked as a church musician and composer in Vincenza. He was also active as an opera composer from 1671-1685.
Life and career
Born in Bassano del GrappaBassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is a city and comune in the province of Vicenza, region Veneto, in northern Italy. It bounds the communes of Cassola, Marostica, Solagna, Pove del Grappa, Romano d'Ezzelino, Campolongo sul Brenta, Conco, Rosà, Cartigliano and Nove...
, Freschi was appointed the maestro di cappella at the Cathedral of Vicenza on 14 December 1656; just a few years after his ordination. He remained in that post until his death in Vincenza 53 and a half years later. His sacred music compositions were frequently performed at the cathedral and at other major churches in Vincenza during his lifetime.
In addition to his work as a church musician and composer, Freschi also had an active career as an opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
composer. Of his 16 known operas, 11 of them premiered at theatres in Venice and 5 of them at the opera house in Piazzola sul Brenta
Piazzola sul Brenta
Piazzola sul Brenta is a comune in the Province of Padua in the Italian region Veneto, located about 45 km west of Venice and about 15 km northwest of Padua.-Main sights:*Villa Contarini, begun by Andrea Palladio...
. His first opera, Ifide greca (libretto by Nicolò Minato
Nicolò Minato
Count Nicolò Minato was an Italian poet, librettist and impresario. His career can be divided into two parts: the years he spent at Venice, from 1650 to 1669, and the years at Vienna, from 1669 until his death....
, premiered in Venice in 1671. His second opera, Helena rapita da Paride was performed for the inauguration of the Teatro Sant'Angelo in Venice in 1677. His last opera to premiere, Gl'amori d'Alidaura, was performed in Piazzola sul Brenta in 1685.
Operas
- Ifide greca (dramma per musicaDramma per musicaDramma per musica is a term which was used by dramatists in Italy and elsewhere between the late-17th and mid-19th centuries...
, libretto by Nicolò MinatoNicolò MinatoCount Nicolò Minato was an Italian poet, librettist and impresario. His career can be divided into two parts: the years he spent at Venice, from 1650 to 1669, and the years at Vienna, from 1669 until his death....
, 1671, Venice) - Helena rapita da Paride (dramma per musica, libretto by Aurelio Aureli, 1677, Venice)
- Tullia superba (dramma per musica, libretto by Antonio Medolago, 1678, Venice)
- La Circe (dramma per musica, libretto by Cristoforo Ivanovich, 1679, Venezia)
- Sardanapalo (dramma per musica, libretto by Carlo Maderni, 1679, Venice)
- Berenice vendicata (dramma per musica, libretto by Giorgio Maria Rapparini, 1680, Piazzola sul Brenta)
- Il cittadino amante della patria ovvero Il Tello (operetta, libretto by Giorgio Maria Rapparini, 1680, Piazzola sul Brenta)
- Pompeo Magno in Cilicia (dramma per musica, libretto by Aurelio Aureli, 1681, Venice)
- Olimpia vendicata (dramma per musica, libretto by Aurelio Aureli, 1681, Venice)
- Giulio Cesare trionfante (dramma per musica, libretto by Luigi Orlandi, 1682, Venice)
- Ermelinda (dramma per musica, libretto by Francesco Maria Piccioli, 1682, Piazzola sul Brenta)
- Silla (dramma per musica, libretto by Andrea Rossini, 1683, Venice)
- L'incoronazione di Dario (dramma per musica, libretto by Adriano Morselli, 1684, Venice)
- Teseo tra le rivali (dramma per musica, libretto by Aurelio Aureli, 1685, Venice)
- Gl'amori d'Alidaura (dramma per musica, libretto by Francesco Maria Piccioli, 1685, Piazzola sul Brenta)
- L'amante muto loquace (dramma per musica, libretto by Nicolò Leonardi, Piazzola sul Brenta)
Sources
- T. Walker and B.L. Glixon: "Domenico Freschi", The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians