Life
Trained in the heart of the eighteenth century, in a context where Rococo elegance and the critical spirit of the Enlightenment coexisted, his artistic maturity was fully expressed in the new taste of Neoclassicism.
Born in Marzano di Nola around 1733, Francesco Corbisieri received his initial musical training at the prestigious Conservatory of Santa Maria di Loreto in Naples, where he was admitted in 1744 and studied under Lorenzo Fago and Gualberto Brunetti. Here he refined his skills as an organist and composer, quickly distinguishing himself among the pupils.
On September 1, 1764, he obtained the appointment as supernumerary organist of the Royal Chapel of Naples. In 1768 he was promoted to regular organist, and in 1771 he became the principal organist, succeeding Domenico Merola. In 1779 he was also entrusted with the role of vice-chapel master following the death of Giuseppe Marchitti. Despite his seniority and the esteem he enjoyed, in 1787 he did not succeed in obtaining the post of chapel master, which was instead assigned to Vincenzo Orgitano. He nonetheless continued to operate in the Royal Chapel until at least 1802, the year in which he is still documented in service.
Alongside official duties, he composed numerous theatrical and sacred works. He worked with prominent librettists such as Francesco Cerlone and Carlo Goldoni, confirming his link to the Neapolitan comic repertoire. He died in Naples after 1802.
Aneddoto
A career between brothers
Some of Francesco's sacred compositions were long confused with those of his brother Antonio, also a musician, leading to erroneous attributions that only subsequent studies have clarified.Works
Opera buffa: La Mergellina (1771, Naples, libretto by Francesco Cerlone), La maestra (1773, Naples, libretto by Carlo Goldoni), L’osteria di Pausilippo (1775, Salerno, libretto by Francesco Cerlone).
Sacred music: five Kyrie and Gloria (in B major, 1772; in F major, 1772; in C major, 1778; in D major, 1780; in G major, 1781), a Gloria (1775), motets such as Tube sonore (1776), Inter choros (1781), Festu diem (1781), Virgo sacrato. He also composed four Dixit (in A major, 1760; in C major and B major, 1772; and in D major). His production reflects the dual face of the Neapolitan musician of the time, capable of uniting theater and liturgy.
Briciole di storia
Pubblico dominio (CC0)
