Biography (read more)
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was an Italian composer of the late Baroque and early Neapolitan school, born in Jesi and trained in Naples from 1725, where he spent most of his brief career composing for aristocratic patrons before dying of tuberculosis at Pozzuoli in 1736 at the age of twenty-six. His output, though small, includes opera seria and opera buffa, sacred works, and instrumental music such as violin concertos and sonatas, most famously the intermezzo La serva padrona and the Stabat Mater.
Despite his short life, Pergolesi is regarded as one of the most influential Italian composers of the eighteenth century: his comic intermezzo La serva padrona, performed in Paris in 1752, ignited the “Querelle des Bouffons,” a landmark debate over French versus Italian operatic style, and his Stabat Mater became the most frequently printed musical work of the century and a model studied and arranged by later composers, including Bach. His fame led to widespread posthumous misattribution, with hundreds of works falsely credited to him, complicating but not diminishing his historical stature.
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Repertoire
Stabat Mater, P. 77: X. “Fac ut portem Christi mortem”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: I. Duet. Stabat Mater dolorosa— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: II. Soprano. Cuius animam gementem— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: III. Duet. O quam tristis et afflicta— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: IV. Alto. Quae moerebat et dolebat— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: V. Duet. Quis est homo qui non fleret— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: VI. Soprano. Vidit suum dulcem natum— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: VII. Alto. Eia mater, fons amoris— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: VIII. Duet. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: X. Alto. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: XI. Duet. Inflammatus et accensus— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, P. 77: XII. Duet. Quando corpus morietur – Amen— Christa Ludwig
Performed by Christa Ludwig
Stabat Mater, P. 77: II. Aria “Cujus animam gementem” (soprano)— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: III. Duo “O quam tristis et afflicta”— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: IV. Aria “Quae moerebat et dolebat” (alto)— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: V. Duo “Quis est homo qui non fleret”— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: VII. Aria “Eja, mater, fons amoris” (alto)— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: X. Aria “Fac, ut portem Christi mortem” (alto)— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: XII. Duo “Quando corpus morietur” – “Amen”— Bernarda Fink
Performed by Bernarda Fink
Stabat Mater, P. 77: II. Aria “Cujus animam gementem” (soprano)— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Stabat Mater, P. 77: IV. Aria “Quae moerebat et dolebat” (alto)— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Stabat Mater, P. 77: VII. Aria “Eja, mater, fons amoris” (alto)— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Stabat Mater, P. 77: X. Aria “Fac, ut portem Christi mortem” (alto)— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Stabat Mater, P. 77: XII. Duo “Quando corpus morietur” – “Amen”— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: I. Stabat Mater dolorosa— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: II. Cujus animam gementem— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: III. O quam tristis et dolebat— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: IV. Quae moerebat et dolebat— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: V. Quis est homo qui non fleret— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: VI. Vidit suum dulcem natum— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: VII. Eia Mater fons amoris— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: VIII. Fac ut ardeat cor meum— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: IX. Sancta Mater istud agas— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: X. Fac ut portem Christi mortem— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: XI. Inflammatus et accensus— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: XII. Quando corpus morietur— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: III. O quam tristis et afflicta— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Stabat Mater in F minor, P.77: V. Quis est homo qui non fleret— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: X. Fac, ut portem Christi moetem— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: I. Stabat mater dolorosa— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: II. Cujus animam gementem— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: III. O quam tristis et afflicta— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: IV. Quae moerebat et dolebat— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: VI. Vidit suum dulcem natum— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: VII. Eja mater fons amoris— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: VIII. Fac ut ardeat cor meum— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: IX. Sancta mater, istud agas— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: X. Fac ut portem Christi mortem— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: XI. Inflammatus et accensus— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Stabat Mater in F Minor, P. 77: XII. Quando corpus morietur – Amen— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in F Minor, P. 78 (Alto Version of C Minor, P. 79) : I. Salve Regina— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in F Minor, P. 78 (Alto Version of C Minor, P. 79) : II. Ad te clamamus— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in F Minor, P. 78 (Alto Version of C Minor, P. 79) : III. Eia ergo— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in F Minor, P. 78 (Alto Version of C Minor, P. 79) : IV. Et Jesum…— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in F Minor, P. 78 (Alto Version of C Minor, P. 79) : V. O clemens, o pia— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La Passione”: I. Adagio— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La Passione”: II. Allegro di molto— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Symphony No .49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La Passione”: III. Menuet – Trio— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La Passione”: IV. Finale. Presto— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in A minor – Edited by Robert King: 1. Salve Regina— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in A minor – Edited by Robert King: 2. Ad te clamamus— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in A minor – Edited by Robert King: 3. Eia ergo, advocata nostra— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Salve Regina in A minor – Edited by Robert King: 4. O clemens— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Sul mio cor so ben qual sia Farnaspe”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1 – “Sul mio cor so ben qual sia Farnaspe”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum V: Sitio (John 19:28) , Christus…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum V: Sitio (John 19:28) , Anima (tenor)…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Salve Regina in C Minor (Transp. in A-Flat Minor)— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 1 in F minor: 1. Grave— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 1 in F minor: 2. Allegro— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 3 in F major: 2. Largo— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 3 in F major: 4. Largo— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 3 in F major: 5. Allegro— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 5 in D minor: 1. Allegro— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 5 in D minor: 2. Grave— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 5 in D minor: 3. Allegro— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
A. Scarlatti: 6 Concerti grossi (c.1740) / Concerto No. 5 in D minor: 4. Minuet— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
La serva padrona, Pt. 1: No. 4, Aria, “Stizzoso, mio stizzoso” (Serpina)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
Artaserse, Act 3 Scene 2a: Aria, “Confusa, smarrita” (Marzia)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
La serva padrona, Act I: “Stizzoso, mio stizzoso” (Serpina)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by Teresa Berganza
Confitebor tibi Domine, P. 66: V. “Sanctum et terribile nomen ejus”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: Dignas laudes resonemus— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: Sto in calma summae pacis— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: Quot procellae, quot horrores— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: O sacra et vera fides— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: In ipsa laeta spero— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: O praesidium suave— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: Te Fili contemplando— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Mottetto “Dignas laudes resonemus”: Dignas laudes resonemus II— Marlis Petersen
Performed by Marlis Petersen
Pergolesi: Tre giorni son che Nina (Live, United States, 1974)— Luciano Pavarotti
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Chiede il parto Farnaspe di presentarsi a te”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Dal labbro che t’accende”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Comprendesti, o Farnaspe, d’Augusto i detti?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Dalla man del nemico il gran pegno si tolga”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Sprezza il furor del vento”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Ah, se con qualche inganno non prevengo Emirena”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Principe, quelle sono le sembianze che adori?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Sposo, Augusto, signor, questo è il momento”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Aquilio, io non l’intendo”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Prigioniera abbandonata”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Tentiam la nostra sorte”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Vuoi punir l’ingrato amante?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Chi soffre, senza pianto”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Feroci Parti, al nostro ardir felice arrise il ciel”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “E pure, ad onta del mio furor”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “A un semplice istante”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “E nessuno sa dirmi se sia salvo il mio sposo!”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Senti… come mi lascia”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Farnaspe! – Principessa!”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Sola mi lasci piangere”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Oh cari sdegni, oh amabili trasporti”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 1: “Lieto così talvolta”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Veramente tu sei, più di quel che credei, sollecita ed…— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Chi sa! quando lontana Emirena sarà”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Ah, ingrato, m’inganni”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Tolleranza, o mio cor”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Saggio guerriero antico”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Qui Sabina non veggo”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Splenda per voi sereno”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Ed è ver che sei mia?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Fra l’ombre adesso”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Fermati, traditor!”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Tutti nemici e rei”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Quell’amplesso e quel perdono”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Almen tutto il mio sangue a conservar bastasse”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Leon piagato a morte”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “E non ti struggi in pianto”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 2: “Torbido in volto e nero”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Come! ch’io parta?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Digli ch’è un infedele”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Io la trama dispongo”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Contento forse vivere del mio martir potrei”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Aquilio, che ottenesti?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Che dir può il mondo?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Bellissima Emirena”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Fra poco assiso in trono Cesare parlerà”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Figlia, se è ver che m’ami”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Ti perdi e confondi”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Misera! a qual consiglio appigliarmi dovrò?”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “L’estremo pegno almeno ricevi”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria / Act 3: “Ah, Cesare, pietà!”— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum I: Pater, dimitte illis: non enim…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum II: Amen dico tibi: hodie mecum eris…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum III: Mulier ecce filius tuus (John…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Aria Anima “Quod iubes, magne Domine”— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum IV: Deus meus, deus meus, ut quid…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum VI: Consummatum est (John 19:29) ,…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Septem verba a Christo in cruce moriente prolata: Verbum VII: Pater, in manus tuas commendo…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Concerto per violino in si bemolle maggiore in B-Flat Major: I. Allegro— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Concerto per violino in si bemolle maggiore in B-Flat Major: II. Largo— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Concerto per violino in si bemolle maggiore in B-Flat Major: III. Allegro— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Pergolesi: 1. Allegro (from Violin Concerto in B-Flat Major)— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl
La serva padrona: In somma delle somme, per attendere al vostro bene— Paul O’Dette
Performed by Paul O'Dette
La serva padrona: Stizzoso, mio stizzoso, voi fate il borioso— Paul O’Dette
Performed by Paul O'Dette
Livietta e Tracollo: Invano ti lusinghi rimovermi dal mio pensier costante— Paul O’Dette
Performed by Paul O'Dette