Nicola Fago
Born in Taranto, in the Apulia region, he studied music under Francesco Provenzale at the Conservatorio della Pietà dei Turchini in Naples between 1693-95.
Between 1704-08 he worked at the Conservatorio Sant'Onofrio, but from 1705-40 he was based at the Conservatorio della Pietà dei Turchini, where his pupils included Leonardo Leo, Francesco Feo, Giuseppe de Majo, Niccolo Jommelli, Nicola Sala, Michele de Falco, Carmine Giordani as well as his own son, Lorenzo. See: List of music students by teacher: C to F#Nicola Fago.
From 1709-31, Nicola Fago served at the Tesoro di San Gennaro. He died in Naples in 1745.
'Wretched and alone with my pain and torment' is the start of this RARA format cantata by the Neapolitan composer and teacher Nicola Fago. Cupid is up to his old tricks again! Full of chromatic inflections and wandering tonality and offering a wonderful emotional challenge to the performer.
Range: EE - e
Editor: James Sanderson
'How can I live far from that lovely face?' asks our protagonist. Not far it would seem as Cupid burns him with desire and '...lights up his heart with a devouring flame' in this effective lotananza cantata. RARA format with very expressive recitatives and two really enjoyable arias.
Source: Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica S. Pietro a Majella - Napoli: Cantate 114(9)
Editor: James Sanderson
Source BL Add 14211 f 35 - 41v
Fago's cantatas are an interesting bridge between the Scarlattian style and the later Neapolitan version of the genre. Here a shepherd falls prey to the 'vicious' Goddess of Love.
Editor: James Sanderson
The wonderful lament in Part II of Fago's oratorio Faraone Sommerso - worthy competition to Porpora's Alto Giove. Amazing performance by Europa Galante on YouTube. The character Messo bewails the fate of the Jewish people being pursued by Pharoah and warns how the waves will wash away the anger and blood. 5-part string accompaniment.
Source: Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica 'Luigi Cherubini' - Firenze; Inventario: B.2374 ; Segnatura: B.2374 ; CF.55
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 38036 ff 71r - 74v
Lament upon lament fills this emotional cantata in which Tirsi's absence is mourned. Three arias linked by recitative with some extremely interesting harmonic shifts. The copy is extraordinarily detailed with figures for almost every note in the continuo part.
Range: d - f'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source BL Add 14211 f 20r - 25v
Here a more contemplative setting than most, the philosopher discusses how love creates joy from pain and torment.
Range: d' - g''
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 38036 ff 121r - 124r
No birds, but plenty of bees, roses and, of course, thorns in this charming cantata by the Neapolitan Nicola Fago. Smitten by ungrateful Fillide, the lover swears eternal constancy - why? In aria - recit - aria (Affettuoso) format
Range: e - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
Source BL Add 14211 f 12 - 18
Again with the suffering caused by love! A particularly plangent recitative surrounded by two deceptively happy arias.
Range: d' - g''
Editor: James Sanderson
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