Ru
EnK. Zaitseva, E. Shigaeva
Neapolitan mandolin in the musical life of Paris in the 18th century
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the musical cultures of Italy and France had a significant influence on each other. Troupes of Italian opera artists have been touring France since the 17th century, laying a solid foundation for interaction between the leading musical powers. This tradition continued into the 18th century and especially extended to the field of musical theatre. The activities of the Italian comedy theatre – Le Théâtre-Italien – contributed to the inflow of singers, composers, and performers on national traditional instruments to Paris. The Neapolitan mandolin occupied a special position, and gradually began to enter the musical life of Paris. The love for mandolin of the King Court contributed to the popularization of the instrument among the nobility. An important role in the spread of mandolin in France was played by the famous Concert Spirituel, which featured Italian artists.
Based on periodicals and publications in the Parisian press of that time, the authors of the article present a series of Italian mandolin players who lived in Paris in the 18th century: Carlo Sodi, Giovanni Cifolelli, Gabriele Leone, Pietro Denis, Giovanni Fuchetti and others. An important aspect is the review of pedagogical treatises created by these mandolin players. The methodological manuals published in Paris were designed for musicians of different levels of performing skills and were in great demand among the Parisians.
In the late 80s of the 18th century, interest in mandolin began to fade. In the atmosphere of prerevolutionary France, this instrument did not correspond to the “spirit of the times”. However, the traditions of performing activity will find their continuation in the 19th century.
Key words
history of the mandolin performing art, French music in the second half of the 18th century, concert life in Paris, practical treatises for the mandolin players.
For citation
Zaitseva K., Shigaeva E. Neapolitan mandolin in the musical life of Paris in the 18th century // South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2023. No. 1. Pp. 43-51.
