Life
Trained at the dawn of the Arcadian taste, his long 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.
Rocco Cerruti, also known by the Spanish name Roque Ceruti, was a composer of Milanese origin who left an indelible mark on the musical history of South America. His career began in Italy, where he composed, among other things, the opera L'amor generoso in Florence in 1708, in collaboration with Giuseppe Orlandini.
The same year marked a landmark turning point for his career, and for the music of the American continent, when he followed Viceroy Manuel de Oms y de Santa Pau to Peru. Arriving in Lima, he set to music the drama El mejor escudo de Perseo, which became one of the first examples of opera performed in South America. The opera was staged in the sumptuous gardens of the viceregal palace, an event that marked an important step for the artistic development of the region.
After the death of the viceroy in 1710, Cerruti remained in the musical service of the viceregal palace for several years. In 1721 he accepted the post of chapel master of the Trujillo Cathedral, only to return to Lima in 1728 to hold the same role in the capital's cathedral. He held this prestigious position until his death, which occurred in 1760 in Lima, and contributed significantly to the development of sacred music in the country.
Aneddoto
The pioneer of opera in South America
After moving to Peru, Cerruti set to music the drama El mejor escudo de Perseo. This work, performed in Lima in 1708, is considered one of the first examples of opera ever performed in South America.Works
Rocco Cerruti's works include both dramatic and sacred music. In Italy, he composed the opera L'amor generoso (1708) in collaboration with Giuseppe Orlandini. His production in Peru includes the drama El mejor escudo de Perseo (1708). As chapel master of the Lima Cathedral, he also composed a considerable amount of sacred music.
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 various vices of Italian society. Among his sharpest criticisms was the poor functioning of educational institutions and, in particular, the idleness in which most of the nobility lived, considered the cause of their dissoluteness. He also denounced the low consideration given to the female role.
Pubblico dominio (Google Art Project)
