Pasquale Errichelli, composer of the Neapolitan school

Life

His career, in both the formative and maturity phases, was situated at a fertile cultural crossroads of the mid-eighteenth century where the legacy of Arcadia, the grace of the Rococo style, and the first rationalist demands of the Enlightenment coexisted and influenced each other.

Pasquale Errichelli, or Erichelli, was an Italian composer whose career primarily took place in Naples during the 18th century. After completing his training at the Conservatory of the Pietà dei Turchini, an important Neapolitan musical institution, he obtained the position of organist at the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro in 1747. In 1763, his talent earned him a promotion to organist of the first choir.

Between 1753 and 1758, Errichelli composed and staged numerous operas for theaters in Naples and Rome, enjoying considerable success. His works included both serious and comic dramas. In 1771, he collaborated with Giacomo Insanguine to complete the third act of the opera Eumene, left unfinished by Gian Francesco de Majo. His last documented post was as chapel master in Sulmona in 1775. His most famous work was Issipile, which architect Luigi Vanvitelli defined as the best example of the Hasse style.

Works

Pasquale Errichelli composed several theatrical works that were successfully performed in the theaters of Naples and Rome. These include his first opera seria, Issipile (1754). His operatic repertoire also includes comic operas such as La serva astuta (1753), in collaboration with Gioacchino Cocchi, and Il finto turco (1753). He also contributed to the conclusion of the opera Eumene in 1771, completing the third act.

In addition to operas, his production also includes vocal and instrumental music. Standing out among his vocal works are the oratorio Gerosolina protetta (Chieti, 1778), a Mass in D major, and various arias and cantatas. He also composed instrumental music, including a symphony in D major and two trio sonatas for flute and basso continuo.