12
October’16
Wednesday 19:00
The King of Neapolitan Songs
Concert of Tosti's pieces
Dedicated to the 170th anniversary of Francesco Tosti's birth
Novaya Opera presents a concert of the theatre’s soloists dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the birth of the Italian composer, singer and tutor
Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846–1916)
Author of numerous canzones, romances, Neapolitan songs, Francesco Paolo Tosti was a contemporary of opera maestros Giacomo Puccini, Rugero Leoncavallo, and Pietro Mascagni. Not to be among second-tier composers, Tosti chose chamber vocal music as his domain. A natural born organizer of musical soirees, he could sing and play his pieces for hours. Italian Queen Margherita von Savoyen and British Queen Victoria were captivated by Tosti’s music; the composer became popular among the Neapolitan, Milan, London, Romanand other European aristocracy saloons.
Tosti’s pieces are imbued with exquisite Neapolitan flavour: light Italian rhythms, the breath of the romantic breeze, vibrant declarations of love; they convey discreet passion, delicate humour and dignity. Every miniature is a musical and poetical sketch, perfect in its form and content.
Tosti’snumerous pieces were part of the concert repertory of Enrico Caruso, Begnamino Jigli, Franco Corelli, Alfredo Craus, Luciano Pavarotti to name but a few.
The complete edition of Tosti’s works is issued in fourteen volumes and recorded on twenty-four CDs. Among Tosti’s most popular pieces are: in Italian –/Non t'amopiù, Lamento d'amore, АМаrechiare, La serenata, Ideale, Ave Maria, Mattinata, Aprile, L'ultimobacio;/ in English – Forever, Goodbye, Mother, At vespers, Yesterday; in French – Adieu а Suzon ;Aimez, quand on vousaime!,Rêver.
The program of the concert will comprise the composer’s both popular and rarely performed pieces.