Nicola Porpora (1686-1768) was an important composer, musician and teacher of Baroque Europe. He held several important posts, notably in Dresden, London (where he was Handel’s rival) and Venice. He was the teacher of the famous castrato Farinelli and Joseph Haydn. In Venice Porpora was teacher and chorus master at the Ospedale della Pietà, a charitable institution for orphans and abandoned girls, where music was an important part of the children’s education. • This new recording brings together a number of Cantatas written about flowers and flowery landscapes, serving as the background for romantic stories about the bliss or curse of love: highly attractive works, full of drama, expressive effects and virtuoso roles for both vocalists and instrumentalists. • Another enterprising recording project of Musica Perduta, led by cellist Renato Criscuolo. Soprano Cristina Grifone is specialized in Early Music, she recorded a.o. for the label Glossa.
Works:
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Porpora: Cieco Dio Foss’io Quel Fiore
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Porpora: Dalla Reggia di Flora
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Porpora: La Viola che Languiva
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Porpora: Povero fior di Clizia
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Porpora: Questo e il Platano Frondoso
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Porpora: Se La Rosa Fresca e Bella
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Porpora: Su Collinetta Erbosa