Carlo Caproli


Carlo Caproli or Caprioli, also called Carlo del Violino, was an Italian violinist, organist, and a leading composer of cantatas in mid-17th-century Italy.

Life

Early life and career

Carlo Caproli was born in Rome. His father was a seller of green vegetables.
He was recorded as Carlo del Violino in 1636, when he was engaged by the Barberini family for performances of Santa Teodora. Caproli was considered to be a maestro di cappella beginning in 1638, and was in charge of the music for the festival of the patron saint of San Girolamo degli Schiavoni up to 1643.
He was an organist under Giacomo Carissimi at the Collegio Germanico beginning in September 1643 and held the post until 1645. On 15 November 1644 he was appointed aiutante di camera under Cardinal Camillo Pamphili, but left that position in April 1647. He first appeared at San Luigi dei Francesi on 25 August 1652 as a violinist hired for the occasion.
Caproli's wife was related to the Roman publisher Agostino Mascardi.

Paris

In November 1653, Caproli and his wife went to Paris, where he was commissioned by Cardinal Mazarin to compose the opera Le nozze di Peleo e di Theti with an Italian libretto by Mazarin and Francesco Buti. The premiere, which included ballet intermèdes with a French text by Isaac de Benserade and music by uncredited French composers, was given on 14 April 1654 at the Théâtre du Petit-Bourbon with decors by Giacomo Torelli. The 15-year-old King Louis XIV appeared in no fewer than six roles. The production received nine performances, the final two open to the public, and it was considered a great success, although this was primarily due to the French ballets in the intervals. For his efforts, Caproli was made maître de la musique du cabinet du Roy, which suggests he may have directed the performances.

Later career in Rome

Caproli returned to Rome in 1655. He again directed the music for the festival of San Girolamo and, as one of the best violinists in the city, made numerous appearances, including at San Luigi dei Francesi, Santa Maria Maggiore, and Santa Maria del Popolo, where he played for the Vespers of 8 September. In 1665 he took up the post of guardiano of the instrumentalists at the Congregazione dei Musici di Roma. He composed numerous solo and ensemble cantatas, many with instruments, and several oratorios.
Caproli died in Rome just before 20 December 1668, the day on which his will was opened.

Works

Stage works

Le nozze di Peleo e di Theti, opera, text by Francesco Buti, music lost; performed Paris, Petit Bourbon, 14 April 1654

Cantatas

Number of voices, accompaniment, and location of the score are given in parentheses after the title. According to Eleanor Caluori, many of these catatas are incorrectly attributed to Francesco Mannelli in the first edition of Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart.A fuggir, a seguir beltà tiranna Amor, deggio io servir Bella Filli, io partirò Chi d’amor si vuol difendere Chi non sa qual tormento Chi può Nina mirare Chi sempre disse no Chi vuol esser amante Ci volea questo di più Con fronte sicura Conoscer quando inganna Con piede lento giungon l’hore Con voi parlo, amanti Correte, amanti, a rimirar Dallo strale d’amor Di Cupido è legge antica Di sue bellezze altera, text by Domenico Benigni Dite che far poss’io E dove, Eurillo, il passo E pur tornate a dirmi, text by F. Melosi E quando ve n’andate, speranze Era condotto a morte E un gran foco Fate largo alla speranza Ferma il piè, taci Frondosi e verdi boschi, text by Conte Barbazza Gia languide le stelle Giurai cangiar pensiero Hanno da durar più Ho desio di saper Hor ch’ho sentito un si ; Hor ch’il gelido rigor Hor ch’l ciel di stelle adorno Il cor sempre costante Infelice chi crede a i sospiri Io che tra muti horrori, text by F. Melosi, serenade Io mi struggo in lento foco Io non so che cosa m’habbia In questa oscuritade horrida Languia Filen trafitto Le note ove son chiusi, text by Marini Lidio, invano presumi, 1679Lilla, con gran ragione, text by Melosi Mene contento, non ricuso pena Mi è stato detto che al foco Mondo, non mi chiamar Morto voi mi bramate, text by G. Lotti Navicella ch’a bel vento Non fuggir quando mi vedi Non si può dir di no Non si può più sperare Non si tema il mar infido Non ti fidar, mio core Non voglio far altro che chiuder Non voglio più lite Occhi audaci, che fate Occhi miei, voi parlate O da me adorata tant’anni Oppresso un cor da mille pene O questa si ch'è bella, text by S. Baldini Par ch’il core melo dica Per l’Egeo di spuma grave Poiche fissato il guardo Purche lo sappi tu, text attributed to S. Baldini Quella luce che s’indori Qui dove il piè fermai, serenade Quietatevi, pensieri, io vo dormire, text by Francesco Buti, 1646 or earlierQuietatevi, pensieri, non m’affligete più Rido una volta in cento Tu mancavi a tormentarmi Tutto cinto di ferro, text by Melosi Una bella che bella non è Un tiranno dolore non vuol partir Un cor impiegato si sente morire Uscitemi dal seno, amorosi pensieri Vanne pur lungi speranza, text by Domenico Benigni Ve la potrei dipingere Voglio ridere pur di cuore
  • ''Voi del sole che piangete''

Aria

  • ''Non si puo dir di no''