Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Astarita, Gennaro

by John Weeks Moore

Astarita, Gennaro, is celebrated both as a serious and comic composer, but particularly the latter. His natural and agreeable style con-ciliated the favor of the public, although the opinion of the connoisseurs was not always equally favorable. His air, "Come fascist poss'io," was universally sung and applauded. His operas were, "La Contessa di Bimbinpoli," 1772 ; "Lz Yisionari," 1772 ; "Fine-zee d'Amore," 1773 ; "1 Marito else non ha Moglie," 1774 ; "La Critics Teatrale," 1775 ; "Il Modo della Luna," 1775 ; "La Dama imaginaria," 1777 ; "L' Isola di Bengali," 1777 ; "A'mida," 1777 ; and "Circe e Ulisse," which, in 1787, was given under this title, in all the theatres of Germany, as a new piece. Neither the nature nor the number of the compositions of this master entitle him to a high rank among classical composers ; but he is worthy to be placed at the head of the seeond class of the musicians of Italy.