Album insights
Alessandro Stradella, born on April 3, 1639 in Nepi near Viterbo, came from a noble family. He likely studied music in Bologna during his youth and served as a page for the ducal Lante family in Rome until 1661. This period provided him with intellectual growth and musical training due to interactions with various nobles. Stradella's career as a composer began in 1667 with a commission for an oratorio for the esteemed Arciconfraternita del Santissimo Crocifisso. From then on, he worked independently, accepting composition requests from influential families like the Pamphili and Colonna, showcasing his versatility by composing over three hundred works across various genres.
Known for his rapid and effortless composition style, Stradella's music featured fluid lines, intricate counterpoint, and innovative harmonies, characteristic of his distinct musical style. His vocal compositions were intricately woven with the text, even incorporating accompanied recitatives, a pioneering technique at the time. Noteworthy milestones include composing the first datable Concerto Grosso in 1674 and pioneering elements in comic operas. His life, although embellished by legends, was filled with gripping events like arranging a controversial marriage and facing near-fatal attacks due to romantic entanglements.
After experiencing tumultuous episodes in Rome and Venice, Stradella found stability and patronage in Genoa, creating operas and church music while garnering unwavering respect for his musical prowess. However, his fate took a tragic turn when he was mysteriously murdered on February 25, 1682. Following his death, his compositions found homes in various prestigious libraries, reflecting the enduring admiration for his work among musicians and scholars.
Collaborating with the renowned librettist Ansaldo Ansaldi, Stradella beautifully set the poignant tale of John the Baptist to music in his significant masterpiece, "San Giovanni Battista." Premiered on March 31, 1675, this oratorio intertwined drama, intricate vocal lines, and diverse instrumentation to narrate the gripping biblical story with Salome, Herodias, and King Herod at its core. Combining exceptional singers with an instrumental ensemble of varying sizes, Stradella crafted a dynamic and emotionally resonant score, lauded by influential figures like Handel, Burney, and Martini for its complexity and artistry.