Lo frate 'nnamorato


Lo frate 'nnamorato is a three-act commedia per musica by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, to a Neapolitan libretto by Gennaro Antonio Federico, first performed in 1732.

Composition history

The opera, written when the composer was only 22, is his first attempt at comic opera.. The first performance was on 27 September 1732, at the Teatro dei Fiorentini, Naples. A successful run was halted by a severe earthquake, which closed the theatres in Naples until the autumn of 1733. It was re-presented during the 1734 carnival season, in a version revised by the author.

Roles

At this time in history, when comic opera was in its infancy, librettists wrote works with both comic and serious characters.

Synopsis

Setting: House of Marcaniello; Capodimonte region of Naples
Ascanio, the brother of Nina and Nena, was stolen by brigands in childhood and presumed lost; he was, however, found and adopted by Marcaniello.
Now, Nina and Nena are the wards of their uncle, the Roman Don Carlo. Don Carlo wishes to marry Luggrezia, the daughter of Marcaniello, who himself wishes to marry Nina and to take Nena as a wife for his son, the foppish Don Pietro. Nina and Nena meanwhile have fallen in love with Ascanio, not realizing their relationship. The two maids Vanella and Cardella comment on and take part in the various intrigues which ensue.
Finally, in a duel with Carlo, the latter recognizes Ascanio as his lost nephew by a birthmark on his arm. Ascanio and Luggrezia are now free to marry.

Orchestration

  • Continuo
  • Flute/Oboe
  • Strings

Recordings

key: conductor/Nena/Nina/Luggrezia/Ascanio/Carlo/Marcaniello/Pietro/Cardella/Vannella