Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod introduces two new operas Paisiello wrote after his return to Naples in 1784 - La Daunia Felice and I Giuochi d'Agrigento.

In 1784, after eight years in Russia, Paisiello was at long last offered an appointment back in Naples, as court composer of dramatic music. On his way back home, Paisiello stopped off in Vienna, where he composed the opera 'Il re Teodoro a Venezia' for another great supporter of his, Emperor Joseph II. Donald introduces the overture from this popular work, an excerpt from 'I giuochi d'Agrigento', written for the inauguration of La Fenice Opera House in Venice, part of an opera to celebrate a major dynastic wedding - 'La Daunia felice', and, by way of stark contrast, the pared-down beauty of Paisiello's sacred work 'Christus', written for Holy Week in 1794.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Giovanni Paisiello

    'Nel cor piu' from La Molinara

    Performer: Cecilia Bartoli (soprano) Performer: György Fischer (piano)

    • Decca 436 267-2.
  • Giovanni Paisiello

    Il Teodoro a Venezia – overture

    Performer: Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana Conductor: Enrique Mazzola

    • Dynamic CDS376.
  • Giovanni Paisiello

    Nina: Il mio ben quando verra (from Act I)

    Performer: Cecilia Bartoli

    • Decca 436 267-2.
  • Giovanni Paisiello

    I giuochi d'Argigento

    Performer: Act I: CD1 T11 ‘Il ciel fiammeggia e tuona!’ – leading into storm scene – Performer: to end of T14: ‘Stridea da un lato il vento’ Performer: Marcello Nardis (Eraclide) Performer: Maria Laura Martorana (Aspasia) Performer: Slovak Choir of Bratislava Performer: International Orchestra of Italy Conductor: Giovanni Battista Rigon

    • Dynamic CDS53112.
  • Giovanni Paisiello

    Christus

    Performer: Won Mi Jung (soprano) Performer: Chamber chorus of the Arrigo Boito Conservatory of Parma Performer: Members of the Ensemble Strumentale Fons Amoris Conductor: Giorgio Ubaldi

    • Bongiovanni GB5616-2.
  • Giovanni Paisiello

    La Daunia Felice

    Performer: From Quartet – ‘Nel tumulto in cui mi trovo’ to end Performer: Donatello Lombardi (Cerere) Performer: Marina De Liso (Pale) Performer: Luca Dordolo (Vertumno) Performer: Furio Zanasi (Cassandro) Performer: Collegium Musicum of the University Giodano of Foggia Conductor: Federico Guglielmo

    • Dynamic CDS516.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 10 Feb 2011 12:00
  • Thu 10 Feb 2011 22:00
  • Thu 9 Jun 2016 12:00
  • Thu 9 Jun 2016 18:30

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.