Anfossi/ Viva - Oratorio la Morte Di San Filippo Neri

Pasquale Anfossi, the child of a Ligurian family with musical traditions, was schooled at the famous conservatory of S. Maria di Loreto in Naples, studying the violin and compositions. Of course, Naples has always cultivated a love of opera, and it was only natural that the young Anfossi developed an interest in this area. He wrote for the opera stages of Naples and Rome, in the opera seria as well as opera buffa conventions. His renown as an opera composer steadily grew across Europe. His oeuvre comprises 60 operas in the dramatic and comical conventions, 20 oratorios, and an assortment of liturgical and instrumental works. There are several moments within the present oratorio which are particularly memorable Some of these we owe to the choruses, beginning with the melancholy lament of the Roman people- simple and suggestive- which opens the composition. There is also the idyllic choir of Angels for two sopranos and an alto, with mild, enchanting melodies and a soft sound, whose euphonic chords occasionally disperse into dialogues in evocation of heavenly bliss.