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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

Composer of the Week - Brand

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Niccolo Jommelli (1714-1774)

Composer of the Week: Niccolo Jommelli (1714-1774): Episode 1: Jommelli the New Orpheus

Niccolo Jommelli (1714-1774)

Episode 1

Episode 1: Jommelli the New Orpheus

Jommelli the New Orpheus

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Niccolo Jommelli (1714-1774), Jommelli the New Orpheus

Donald Macleod explains why Niccolo Jommelli was dubbed 'the new Orpheus'.

Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Niccolo Jommelli, explaining why he was dubbed 'the new Orpheus'.

Described as the "New Orpheus", whose music had people literally rising to their feet in rapt attention, Niccolo Jommelli was patronised by the Pope, sought by many Royal Courts as their Director of Music, and was seen by many as the greatest opera composer of his day. It was the composer Hasse who gave Jommelli his first big break, recommending him for a job in Venice, although Jommelli had already composed a number of operas by that time. He soon went on to be employed at the Papal Chapel in Rome, but this caused contempt among a number of his critics, saying he could not compose both sacred music and works for the stage. Jommelli was soon being sought after by Royal Courts in Lisbon, Mannheim and Stuttgart, and it was in Stuttgart that he worked for many years, composing some of his best operas. Overspending and decadence at the Stuttgart Court led to a number of artists leaving, including Jommelli, who returned to Italy where he remained until his death. At the pinnacle of his career, Jommelli was seen as one of the most well paid and influential composers in all Europe, whose orchestral writing in opera went on to influence the Mannheim Symphonists.

Niccolo Jommelli was an Italian composer from the 18th century, who made significant developments in the world of opera. His early musical experiences were as a choir boy, and he continued to compose choral music throughout his life, including his Te Deum in D major. When his parents were able to afford to send him to different charitable conservatoires in Naples, he joined in the conservatoire performances of short operas and other music. This was his introduction to opera, at a time when the composer Hasse was dominating the scene in Naples. 

Opera was the main arena in which Jommelli made his mark, with works such as Don Trastullo. Jommelli became particularly famous for his use of the orchestra, freeing it from just being an accompaniment in opera.

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Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Niccolo Jommelli

Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Niccolo Jommelli, who was once dubbed 'the new Orpheus'

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Niccolo Jommelli (1714-1774)

Episode 1: Jommelli the New Orpheus

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