Pasquale Anfossi
(1727-1797)
 mp3 and brief sketch by J.M. Schlitz

---

Anfossi: Sinfonia in D Major, D36, 1st Mvt. (1769)

Though his name is widely mentioned in documents of his day, Anfossi is yet another 18th century composer still awaiting more research. At present he is chiefly mentioned because of his 60+ operas which still survive. A brief timeline of Anfossi's life:

c. 1752: Anfossi graduated from the Loreto Conservatory in Naples, where he had specialised in violin. For the following ten years or so he made a career as a violinist in various orchestras throughout Naples and other parts of Italy.

c. 1755-1765: Anfossi probably studied compostion with Sacchini and Piccinni.

1763: Anfossi's first opera "La serva spirituosa" was produced. This and the following operas over the next ten years received mostly moderate success. Some sources indicate that Piccinni had a hand in procuring Anfossi's early opera commissions.

1773: Finally, Anfossi's "L'incognita perseguitata" was a tremendous success and made him a major celebrity.

1782-c1786: Anfossi was director of The King's Theatre in London.  Here he directed a performance of Gluck's Orfeo, with additional music by Handel and J.C. Bach.

1792: He became maestro di cappella at St. John Lateran in Rome, a post which he retained until his death.

Anfossi's early works resemble Piccinni's. His later works are characterised by more frequent use of rests, less ornamentated but warmer melodies, and imaginative orchestral accompaniment, especially in the winds.

=========================
Pasquale Anfossi (1727-1797)
~ WORKS ~
=========================

63 operas, plus 13 more operas doubtfully attributed to him
22 oratorios
2 cantatas
4 complete masses
mass movements and other sacred works
33 sinfonie (sinfonias)
16 opera overtures
2 cello concertos
1 violin concerto
several minuets for 2 violins and 1 cello
2 flute quintets (for flute + string quartet, in D and F)
3 oboe quintets (for oboe + string quartet, in C, F, and C).