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Program Notes

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Giovanni Pergolesi's (1710-1736) music is frequently performed in vocal circles but is not often heard in large concert halls.  Due to his untimely death from tuberculosis at the age of 26, his repertory is small. Despite being a contemporary of Bach, his music contains many forward looking elements in terms of harmony, melodic structure and form. Because of this we can consider his music a transitional stepping stone between High Baroque operas by composers such as Handel and Classical works by Gluck and Mozart. 

The work is known as an intermezzo. During this period multi-act Opera Seria performances were separated by an intermezzo between acts to lighten the mood during intermission. The word loosely translated means 'something in the middle', This particular  work was written to be performed during the intermission of Pergolesi's Il Prigionier Surberbo (The Proud Prisoner). The first scene would have appeared between acts I and II and the second between acts II and III. Il Prigionier Surberbo never attained popularity, but the comic nature of La Serva Padronna, made it survive its serious counterpart. 
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  • Home
  • Application
  • Events
  • WHMF Community Opera
    • Sign Up for Chorus
    • 2022 Opera: The Barber of Seville >
      • Our Story
      • Synopsis
      • Program Notes
      • Cast
    • 2021 Opera: The Impresario >
      • Cast
      • Program Notes
    • 2020 Opera: La Serva Padrona >
      • Program Notes
      • Cast
      • Our Story
      • Synopsis
    • 2019 Opera: HMS Pinafore >
      • Synopsis
      • Program Notes
      • Our Story
      • Cast
    • 2018 Opera: The Magic Flute >
      • Our Story
      • Synopsis
      • Program Notes
      • Cast
  • WHMF Chamber Music
  • Artist Faculty
  • Blog
  • Schoodic Arts
  • Downeast Chamber Orchestra