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Music in Seventeenth Century Naples: Francesco Provenzale (1624-1704)

Arthur C. Clarke

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Francesco Provenzale was one of the most important composers of the Neapolitan School of the seventeenth century. His music is characterized by its melodic beauty, rhythmic vitality, and rich harmonies. Provenzale was a prolific composer, writing operas, oratorios, and other sacred and secular works. He also played an important role in the development of the Neapolitan School of music, and his work influenced many later composers, including Alessandro Scarlatti and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.

Early Life and Training

Francesco Provenzale was born in Naples on October 15, 1624. His father, Giovanni Battista Provenzale, was a musician and composer, and Francesco received his early musical training from him. Francesco also studied with other prominent musicians in Naples, including the organist and composer Giovanni Salvatore and the composer and theorist Giovanni Maria Sabino.

Music in Seventeenth-Century Naples: Francesco Provenzale (1624-1704)

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In 1640, Provenzale was appointed organist of the Church of Santissima Annunziata in Naples. He held this position for the next ten years, during which time he composed a number of sacred works, including masses, motets, and psalms. In 1650, Provenzale was appointed maestro di cappella of the Church of San Carlo alle Mortelle in Naples. He held this position for the next twenty years, during which time he composed a number of operas, oratorios, and other sacred and secular works.

Operas

Provenzale is best known for his operas. He wrote over forty operas, many of which were performed in Naples and other cities in Italy. Provenzale's operas are characterized by their melodic beauty, rhythmic vitality, and rich harmonies. He also made use of innovative orchestration and stage effects. Some of Provenzale's most famous operas include Li due rivali generosi (1653),Il schiavo di sua moglie (1654),La Clorinda (1655),Il Ciro (1656),and Il Vespasiano (1665).

Oratorios

In addition to his operas, Provenzale also composed a number of oratorios. Oratorios are dramatic musical works that are typically performed in a church or other religious setting. Provenzale's oratorios are characterized by their expressive melodies, dramatic harmonies, and vivid orchestration. Some of Provenzale's most famous oratorios include Il Trionfo della divina giustizia (1662),La Passione di Gesù Cristo (1663),and La Morte di San Gennaro (1668).

Sacred and Secular Music

In addition to his operas and oratorios, Provenzale also composed a number of other sacred and secular works, including masses, motets, psalms, and cantatas. Provenzale's sacred music is characterized by its devotional beauty and expressive melodies. His secular music is characterized by its melodic charm and rhythmic vitality. Some of Provenzale's most famous sacred works include the Messa a quattro voci con strumenti (1660) and the Motetti a voce sola con violini (1663). Some of his most famous secular works include the Cantate a voce sola con cembalo (1665) and the Canzonette a tre voci con basso continuo (1670).