Biography (read more)
Nicola Porpora was an Italian composer and singing teacher of the late Baroque era, born in Naples and active there as well as in Venice, London (1729–1734), and Dresden (1748–1752), before returning to Naples for his final years. He composed roughly four dozen operas along with oratorios, cantatas, motets, and instrumental sonatas and concertos, but became most celebrated as a vocal pedagogue, training castrati including Farinelli and Caffarelli as well as composers such as Johann Adolph Hasse and, briefly, Joseph Haydn. He fell into poverty in old age, and the expenses of his funeral in Naples in 1768 were reportedly covered by a subscription concert.
Though his operas have been largely overshadowed by those of contemporaries such as Handel, Porpora’s lasting historical importance rests chiefly on his unrivaled reputation as a teacher of singing, which shaped the careers of some of the eighteenth century’s greatest vocal virtuosi and, through Haydn, transmitted fundamentals of composition to the next generation. Modern recordings of works such as the opera Orlando and his Venetian Vespers reflect continuing scholarly and performance interest in his music.
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Alto Giove, è tua grazia (excerpt)
Perdono, amata Nice “La gelosia”: I. Sinfonia. Allegro— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Perdono, amata Nice “La gelosia”: II. Recitativo. “Perdono, amata Nice”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Perdono, amata Nice “La gelosia”: III. Aria. “Bei labbri, che Amore formò per suo nido”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Perdono, amata Nice “La gelosia”: IV. Recitativo. “Son reo, non mi difendo”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Perdono, amata Nice “La gelosia”: V. Aria. “Giura il nocchier, che al mare”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Cantata VIII “Or che una nube ingrata” for Contralto and basso continuo: Adagio e recitativo:…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Cantata VIII “Or che una nube ingrata” for Contralto and basso continuo: Aria: “Senza il…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Cantata VIII “Or che una nube ingrata” for Contralto and basso continuo: Recitativo:…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Cantata VIII “Or che una nube ingrata” for Contralto and basso continuo: Aria: “Contemplar…— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Polifemo: Alto giove (Air d’Acio) (Instrumental Version)— Christophe Rousset
Performed by Christophe Rousset
Semiramide riconosciuta, Act II: “Tradita, sprezzata”— Nathalie Stutzmann
Performed by Nathalie Stutzmann
Meride e Selinunte, Act II: “Torbido intorno al core” (Ericlea)— Nathalie Stutzmann
Performed by Nathalie Stutzmann
Statira, Act I: “Mira d’entrambi il ciglio” (Statira)— Nathalie Stutzmann
Performed by Nathalie Stutzmann
Sonata a 3, Op. 2 No. 3: I. Adagio – Allegro (Orch. Courbier & Delaforge)— Nathalie Stutzmann
Performed by Nathalie Stutzmann
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Miseri oh Dio! noi siam perduti”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Serba costante il core”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Ecco s’appressa il vincitor superbo”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: Sinfonia Scene 2— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “O Germanico invitto”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Rivolgi a me le ciglia”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Per vincere, signor, la sua fierezza usa del tuo potere”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Germanico fu troppo facile in condannarmi”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Al sole i lumi pria mancheranno”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Chi più di me felice?”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Splende per mille amanti un bel sereno volto”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Venga di Roma il messaggier”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “A lei, che il mondo adora”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Perché a danno di Roma”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Nocchier, che mai non vide l’orror della tempesta”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Lascia Rosmonda”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Se sposa d’un Romano”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Ecco la donna altera”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Dunque sarà pur vero che lasciar tu non voglia sì…— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Sposa infelice, sventurata figlia”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 1: “Son qual misero naviglio”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Romani invitti”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Ingiustissime stelle, avete vinto!”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Empi, se mai disciolgo”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Dopo la gran battaglia a te ritorno”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Se dopo ria procella”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Or ch’arde l’aspra e sanguinosa pugna”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Il padre mi sgrida”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Si sdegna il padre”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Veder vicino il suo contento”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Questo è il felice giorno”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Nasce da valle impura vapor che in alto ascende”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Cieli! Il mio sposo è questo”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Parto, ti lascio, o cara”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Dovunque volgo, o misera, le ciglia”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Priva del caro sposo”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Pur ti riveggo alfin, diletto amante”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Serbami la tua fede”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “O del mio caro ben voci gradite”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Sorge dall’onde”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Segeste, e come soffre la tua Germania la vittoria…— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Scoglio alpestre in mezzo all’onde”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Giungi a tempo, Rosmonda…Eccomi un’altra volta a te…— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 2: “Temi lo sdegno mio, perfido traditore”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Dite, che far degg’io?”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Già l’affetto di sposa”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Per un momento ancora”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Qual tristo evento mai”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Se possono i tuoi rai vedermi ognor penar”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Quanto esser cauto deve un infelice amante”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Serbare amore e fede”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Nemica del valor barbara sorte!”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “All’aura fosca e grave”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Ecco ch’è giunto al fine il momento fatal della tua…— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Se viver non poss’io”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Ecco il bosco funesto”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Saggio è il cultor”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Vieni superbo e mira la gran pompa terribile e funesta”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “E ancor l’ultime voci”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: Germanico in Germania / Act 3: “Sì verrà l’amico giorno”— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: In Caelo Stele Clare Fulgescant – In Caelo Stele Clare Fulgescant— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: In Caelo Stele Clare Fulgescant – Exulta, exulta o cor!— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Porpora: In Caelo Stele Clare Fulgescant – Care Deus cordis amantis— Julia Lezhneva
Performed by Julia Lezhneva
Semiramide riconosciuta, Act 2: “Se pietoso il tuo labbro” (Mirteo)— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Polifemo, Act 2: “Placidetti zeffiretti” (Galatea, Polifemo)— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Semiramide regina dell’Assiria, Act 2: “Come nave in ria tempesta” (Nino)— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Ecco che il primo albore: “Ecco che il primo albore”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Ecco che il primo albore: “La pecorella contenta”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Ecco che il primo albore: “Se andrà senza il Pastore”— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Siface, Act 1: “Tu che d’ardire m’accendi” (Erminio)— Philippe Jaroussky
Performed by Philippe Jaroussky
Semiramide riconosciuta, Act I Scene IV: Vorrei spiegar l’affanno— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Didone abbandonata, Act III Scene XIII: Già si desta la tempesta— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Meride e Selinunte, Act II Scene XIII: Torbido intorno al core— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Semiramide riconosciuta, Act II Scene VI: Il pastor se torna aprile— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Il verbo in carne, oratorio per la nascita di Gesù: Distillatevi o cieli— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Meride e Selinunte, Act III Scene III: Con alma intrepida— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 1: Accompagnato. Ahi! Sento che d’Amore (Galatea, Calipso)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 1: Aria. Vo presagendo (Galatea, Calipso)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 1: Duetto. Il contento che presento (Galatea, Calipso)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 2: Recitativo. O bella Galatea (Polifemo, Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 2: Aria. M’accendi in sen (Polifemo, Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 2: Accompagnato. Amor, tosto vedrai— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 2: Aria. Se al campo e al rio (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 3: Accompagnato. Poichè l’avverso fato – Voi pochi me seguite (Ulisse, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 3: Aria. Core avezzo al furore (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 3: Accompagnato. Oh volesser gli Dei (Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 3: Aria. Dolci, fresche aurette (Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 4: Aria. Sorte un umile Capanna (Calipso, Nerea, Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 5: Recitativo. Insolita Sorpresa (Polifemo, Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 5: Aria. Fa’ ch’io ti provi (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 5: Recitativo. Sorgi, garzon gentile (Galatea, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 5: Accompagnato. Se del primo amor mio (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act I Scene 5: Aria. Ascoltar no, non ti voglio (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 2: Recitativo. Quant oh fiero destin (Ulisse, Calipso)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 2: Aria. Lascia fra tanti mali (Calipso)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 2: Recitativo. Privi sian pur – Aria. Fortunate pecorelle (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 3: Accompagnato. Lontan dal solo (Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 3: Aria. Lusingato dalla speme (Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 4: Arietta. Placidetti zeffiretti (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 4: Recitativo. Rapida sì non trapassar (Polifemo)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 4: Duetto. Placidetti zeffireti, Amoretti vezzosetti (Galatea, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 5: Recitativo. Non son io fida alle promese? (Galatea, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 5: Aria. Fidatti alla speranza (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 5: Recitativo. Lunghe non fian (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 5: Aria. Nell’attendere il mio bene (Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 6: Accompagnato. Ah, co’l sonno (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 6: Recitativo. E non ravvisi ancor (Calipso, Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 6: Aria. Dell’immortal bellezza (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 7: Recitativo. Qual mai piu dolce stato (Galatea, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act II Scene 7: Duetto. Tacito movi e tardo (Galatea, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 1: Arietta. Fugace Galatea (Polifemo)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 1: Accompagnato. Giove non sprezzeresti (Polifemo)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 2: Accompagnato. Aci, amato mio bene (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 2: Aria. Smanie d’affanno (Galatea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Recitativo. Dell’inganno s’accorse (Calipso, Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Arioso. Crudel, se m’hai sprezzato (Polifemo)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Recitativo. Per gioia d’una mia giusta (Polifemo, Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Aria. D’un disprezzato amor (Polifemo)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Recitativo. Or dimmi ‘l nome tuo – Arioso. Ma i piè non mi…— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Accompagnato. Mira i gran passi vacillanti (Ulisse, Calipso)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Aria. Quel vasto, quel fiero (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 3: Aria. Il gioir qualor (Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 4: Accompagnato. O re de’ numi (Galatea, Nerea)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 5: Recitativo. Deh, vieni, Aci immortale – Accompagnato. Il furioso…— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 5: Arioso e accompagnato. Furie che me straziate – Recitativo Che dici…— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III Scene 5: Rimproveri crudeli (Polifemo)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III, Final Scene: Recitativo. Intessete ghirlande (Ulisse, Aci)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III, Final Scene: Terzetto. La gioia immortal (Galatea, Aci, Ulisse)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Polifemo, Act III, Final Scene: Coro. Accendi nuova face (Choir)— Franco Fagioli
Performed by Franco Fagioli
Porpora: Germanico in Germania: Parto ti lascio, o cara— Cecilia Bartoli
Performed by Cecilia Bartoli
Artaserse (added aria by Johann Adolf Hasse) : “Or la nube procellosa”— René Jacobs
Performed by René Jacobs
Il trionfo della divina Giustizia ne’ tormente e morte di Gesù Cristo: Ouverture— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Il trionfo della divina Giustizia ne’ tormente e morte di Gesù Cristo: “Occhi mesti”— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl
Il trionfo della divina Giustizia ne’ tormente e morte di Gesù Cristo: “Per pietà, turba…— Andreas Scholl
Performed by Andreas Scholl