Life
Trained at the dawn of the Arcadian taste, his long and celebrated career led him to reach full maturity in an era of great stylistic richness, in which the solidity of Arcadia fused with the new elegance of the Rococo and with the critical spirit of the Enlightenment.
Pietro Castrucci was born in Rome in 1679 and was a pupil of Arcangelo Corelli, from whom he learned the art of the violin and counterpoint. In 1707 he moved to London, where he quickly became known as lead violinist at the Opera and in the orchestra directed by Handel. He was among the founders of the Royal Academy of Music orchestra.
Chronicles praise his technical skill and the energy of his performance, which made him one of the most admired violinists of his time. He composed numerous sonatas for violin and basso continuo, as well as concerti grossi that contributed to the spread of the Corellian style in England. His London career lasted until the 1740s.
In his later years, he moved to Dublin, where he continued to perform and compose. He died in 1752, leaving a musical legacy that testifies to the vitality of the Italian violin school transplanted abroad.
Aneddoto
Handel's virtuoso
Handel chose him as lead violinist for his London orchestra, entrusting him with prominent parts in opera performances.Works
Castrucci's works include sonatas for violin and basso continuo, concerti grossi, and instrumental pieces printed in London between 1710 and 1740. His production is now rediscovered as an example of the Roman violin style transplanted to England.
Briciole di storia
The vices of Italians
In the heart of the eighteenth century, Pietro Calepio wrote a Letter on Italian Customs that was translated into French and published in 1728 in the prestigious Bibliothèque Italique. In this text, which became very well known, Calepio did not limit himself to describing Italy in general but clearly and sincerely denounced several vices of Italian society. Among his sharpest criticisms was the poor functioning of schools and, in particular, the idleness in which most of the nobility lived, considered the cause of their dissoluteness. He also denounced the low regard given to the female role.
Pubblico dominio (Google Art Project)
