90. Venetian Opera-Writers after 1670.—The increase in the number of Italian operas about 1670 was due to the popularity of the style, which stimulated the composers already at work, called out others in Venice itself, and gradually aroused emulation in other cities, especially Bologna and Naples. In this second period of the Venetian school there is no name of high rank, though many composers eminent in other fields worked worthily in this. Several were extremely prolific, but their ambition was simply to win immediate success by catering skillfully to the taste of the time. In the eagerness for effective melodies and many of them, dramatic power and truth were more and more neglected.
For reference, the more notable writers of Venice and Bologna are here
enumerated:—
In 1670 there were already at work Carlo Pallavicino (d. 1688), from 1667 court-choirmaster at Dresden, but with many absences at Venice, where his over 20 operas (from 1666) were mostly produced, with 2 oratorios; and Giovanni Domenico Partenio (d. 1701), from 1666 a singer at St. Mark's, and Legrenzi's successor there and at the conservatory, with 4 (1669-82).
Giovanni Domenico Freschi (d. 1690), born at Vicenza and from about 1660 choirmaster there, brought out 14 operas at Venice (from 1671) and an oratorio, besides earlier masses.
Antonio Gianettini [the same as Zannettini] (d. 1721), early a singer at St. Mark's and pupil of Legrenzi, from about 1676 was court-organist and later choirmaster at Modena, with about 10 operas at Venice (1674-1705), several oratorios, cantatas and motets.
Marc' Antonio Ziani (d. 1715), choirmaster at Mantua till 1686 and from 1700 in the Imperial Chapel at Vienna, made his early reputation by over 20 operas at Venice (1674-99), with half as many more and about 10 oratorios at Vienna, besides many church works.
Giuseppe Felice Tosi, born at Bologna about 1630 and organist there till 1683, then choirmaster at Ferrara, wrote about 10 operas for Bologna, Venice and other cities (1679-91), besides some cantatas and psalms.
Francesco Antonio Pistocchi (d. 1726), born at Palermo in 1659, was also associated with Bologna, where he was early a singer at the cathedral and the opera. From 1687 at Parma, about 1697 at Ansbach (Bavaria), in 1700 at Vienna, in 1701 he returned to Bologna and presently founded the famous singing-school that soon became a model for others. He wrote several operas (1679-1700), mostly for Venice, with 3 oratorios, many cantatas and motets. A curious book of his pieces for instruments was published when he was but 8 years old (1667).
Jacopo Antonio Perti (d. 1756), born at Bologna in 1661, is chiefly distinguished as a church composer, being choirmaster at Bologna from 1690, after service at Modena and Rome. He wrote about 20 operas (1679-1717) for Modena, Bologna and Venice, with over 15 oratorios and 4 Passions.
