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Pergolesi: Livietta e Tracollo / La serva padrona
Premiered in 1733, Pergolesi's La Serva Pedrona is a Major event in the history of opera. Due to the lightheatedness of the plot and the ordinariness of the characters – not to say their coarseness – La Serva Pedrona launched what is known today as "the Quarrel of the Comic Actors" ("la Querelle des Bouffons" in French), a quarrel that brought into conflict the advocates of the French tradition against the proponents of the Italian music, the latter gathered behing the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. If what they were fighting about seems trifling to the modern observer, the quarrel occasioned fierce reactions wavering between jingoistic arguements and unjustified critics of the French style. Be that as it may, La Serva Pedrona is a masterpiece, all the more so with the charmismatic Donato Di Stefano in the role of Uberto and the delightfull Patrizia Biccirè giving life to the mischievous Serpina.
Insights
Plot Summary
This recording features two comic operas by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. 'Livietta e Tracollo' tells the story of Livietta, who disguises herself as a man to win back her lover Tracollo from a wealthy widow. 'La serva padrona' is a classic tale of Serpina, a clever maid who manipulates her master Uberto into marrying her through a staged engagement.
Critical Reception
This 1986 recording of Pergolesi's comic operas was generally well-received, praised for its vibrant performances and faithful interpretation of the period's operatic style. Critics often highlighted the energetic staging and the vocal prowess of the cast, making it a notable entry in the classical music recording catalog.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its spirited performances and engaging comedic timing.
The production effectively captures the playful spirit of Pergolesi's Baroque operas.
Visually and vocally, a strong representation of these classic works.
Google audience: Audience reception for this specific recording is not widely documented, but Pergolesi's 'La serva padrona' is consistently appreciated for its humor and melodic charm.
Fun Fact
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi composed 'La serva padrona' as an intermezzo to his serious opera 'Il prigionier superbo' ('The Proud Prisoner') and it became far more popular than the main work.
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