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.
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.
