The Commission (Mozart in Italy – Concert 3)

This concert features highlights from two operas that had a significant influence on Mozart when he was composing Mitridate, re di Ponto during the second half of 1770. On 30 May 1770 he attended a performance in Naples of Jommelli’s Armida abbandonata, and the programme includes three magnificent arias from this opera.

In the second half, we provide fascinating comparisons between Mozart’s music for Mitridate and corresponding arias from Gasparini’s 1767 setting of Mitridate, comparisons which strongly suggest that Mozart must have been familiar with Gasparini’s version.

Programme
Mozart Symphony (No. 44) in D major, K.81/73l
Galuppi Aria: “Un pensier mi dice” from Il vecchio geloso
Jommelli Aria: “Misera me!… Ah! ti sento” from Armida abbandonata
Jommelli Aria: “Fra l’orror di notte oscura” from Armida abbandonata
Jommelli Aria: “Misera Armida… Odio, furor, dispetto” from Armida abbandonata
Mozart Symphony in D major, K.84/73q
Gasparini Aria: “Se di lauri il crine adorno” from Mitridate, re di Ponto
Mozart Aria: “Se di lauri il crine adorno” from Mitridate, re di Ponto (1st version, completed by Stanley Sadie)
Mozart Aria: “Se di lauri il crine adorno” from Mitridate, re di Ponto (final version)
Gasparini Cavata, “Pallid’ ombre che scorgete” from Mitridate, re di Ponto
Mozart Cavatina, “Pallid’ ombre che scorgete” from Mitridate, re di Ponto

Performers
Sarah Aristidou (soprano)
Kiandra Howarth (soprano)
Stuart Jackson (tenor)
The Mozartists
Ian Page (conductor)