Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
200801The Early Years2008111020110718 (R3)Donald Macleod on Cavalli's early compositions, including the Cantate Domino of 1625.
200802The Sacred Music Legacy2008111120110719 (R3)Donald Macleod focuses on the publication of Cavalli's little-known sacred music.
200803An International Composer2008111220110720 (R3)Cavalli - An International Composer! With the start and subsequent popularity of opera in Venice, Cavalli found another string to his bow - his ability to compose for theatre. He composed over 40 operas, at the rate of at least one a year. Cavalli's popularity was not only in Venice, but also on an international level. Donald Macleod journeys through Cavalli's period as a prolific composer of opera, where he was setting trends for future opera to come, including the emerging combination of aria and recitative, and the ever emotive lament.

Donald Macleod considers Cavalli's rise to fame through the early stages of Italian opera.

200804An Invitation From Cardinal Mazarin2008111320110721 (R3)In the late 1650s, Cavalli received one of the highest honours of all, an invitation from Cardinal Mazarin to compose an opera for one of the dynastic and political events of the century - the marriage of Louis XIV of France. Things didn't go quite as well as Cavalli had hoped, however, and Donald Macleod takes us through the composer's ill-fated visit to France, and his subsequent demise in the realms of opera.

Donald Macleod explores the demise of Cavalli's career in opera.

200805 LASTThe Requiem2008111420110722 (R3)Cavalli - The Requiem. In this final episode of Composer of the Week featuring the life and works of Francesco Cavalli, we hear the composer's last sacred work, the requiem he composed for his own funeral. Donald Macleod describes Cavalli's highly detailed will, which not only provides precise requirements for the composer's annual memorial service, but also for the distribution of his lucrative estate.

Donald Macleod explores Cavalli's last sacred work: the requiem he wrote for his funeral.