The Diocesan Museum of Donnaregina, Thursday, October 31, will host a day dedicated to study and music organized by the Cappella Neapolitana Association. This initiative aims to remember a crucial period, the year 1724, when Naples established itself as the capital of music, a year that coincides with the last year of the life of the great composer Alessandro Scarlatti.
Article Key Points
The Historical Moment of Naples in 1724
In 1724, Naples was experiencing a moment of crucial historical, artistic and musical importance. After centuries of foreign rule, it had accumulated an invaluable cultural heritage, with musicians who began to travel around Europe, promoting the “city of music”. The influence of Alessandro Scarlatti, who arrived in Naples in 1683, was decisive: with him the city not only formalized the Roman Baroque style, but also favored an international diffusion of musical talent.
Crucial Events of 1724 and their Impact on European Music
The year 1724 witnessed events that would shape the musical and political history of Naples. The King of Spain, Philip V, briefly abdicated in favor of his son Louis, a change of dynasty that opened the door to the Bourbon kingdom in southern Italy. Domenico Sarro’s “Didone abbandonata” to a libretto by Pietro Metastasio was also performed that year, marking a turning point in the development of opera. Emerging talents included Johan Adolph Hasse, who studied under Scarlatti, and the young Farinelli, who made his debut in Naples. The “Giornata di Studi Napoli 1724,” through discussions and musical performances, aims to explore these key moments in Naples’ history, laying the groundwork for the celebrations planned for 1725 to honor the anniversary of Alessandro Scarlatti’s death.
Article published on 30 October 2024 - 14:37
