Felice Giardini: Sonata No.1 in G

Composer: Felice Giardini (1716-1796)
Flutist: Mario Foleno
Harpsichordist: Roberto Loreggian
Bassoonist: Paola Frezzato

Felice Giardini (1716-1796) was an Italian composer, harpsichordist, and violinist of the 18th century (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2022). He was a chorister at Milan cathedral and studied singing, composition, and harpsichord; afterwards, he then studied violin in Turin with celebrated violinist G.B. Somis (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). Giardini played in opera orchestras throughout Rome and Naples, often improvising violin cadenzas at the end of arias, causing the composer Jommelli to become so agitated he punched Giardini in the side of the head (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2022). In 1748, Giardini toured Germany and arrived in England about 1750 (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). His excellent playing and compositions garnered incredible fame throughout his lifetime (The Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2020). Giardini spent the rest of years in London as a composer, violinist, concert director, director of the Italian Opera (40 years), and even as an impresario (The Editiors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). This is the 1st Sonata of 6 for Flute and Harpsichord. I hope you enjoy!

The painting in this video is Felice Giardini and Children by John Francis Rigaud (1742-1810)

References
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, June 4). Felice Giardini. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Felice-Giardini