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Francesco Mancini (b. 16th Jan 1672 d. 22nd Sept 1737) belongs to a generation of composers including Fago and Sarro who established themselves during Alessandro Scarlatti's absence from Naples between 1702 and 1708.

An important teacher, Mancini was Director of the Conservatorio di S Maria di Loreto as well as being first organist and maestro of the Capella Reale in Scarlatti's absence. Upon Scarlatti's return to Naples, Mancini worked as his deputy, only resuming his previous positions on the older composer's death in 1725.

Mancini's music is typically Neapolitan. His works are full of the sudden and unpredictable harmonic shifts which made early 18th century Neapolitan music sound so dramatic. His works include 29 operas, his operatic style combining contrapuntal elements of the past with the new buffa style, 7 serenatas, 12 oratorios, more than 200 hundred secular cantatas in addition to assorted sacred music and a small amount of instrumental music.

Perhaps best known for his recorder sonatas, Mancini’s vocal works are greatly undervalued and show a concise and masterful style in miniature, influenced of course by his master Scarlatti, but displaying an individual inventiveness in melody and recitative structure.
 
James Sanderson
Easter, 2005
                               

STOP PRESS!! There are now 36 editions of Francesco Mancini's music listed at this website with the addition of James Sanderson's edition of Francesco Mancini's Dir vorrei quel bel contento for soprano, violins & continuo:

A charming cantata with strings by Mancini. Our protagonist has lost his love, but being pragmatic has resigned himself to the possiblity of the loss being permanent whilst still hoping for a reconciliation. In ARA format with lovely writing for both voice and strings. The source is a MS in the collection of the Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica S. Pietro a Majella – Napoli: Cantate 41 no 6.
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