La stagione operistica 1781-1782 al Teatro dei Fiorentini di Napoli: meccanismi gestionali e occasioni creative

Abstract

The finding of a rich series of documents in the Archivio Storico of the Istituto Banco di Napoli – Fondazione (Naples) allows to offer a detailed reconstruction of the 1781-1782 season at the Neapolitan Teatro dei Fiorentini, devoted to "commedia per musica". The payments, transcribed in the appendix, show the specific financial structure of the theatre, as well as the distribution of roles and responsibilities among the different figures involved in the operatic business. Archival evidence and information taken from other sources (such as newspapers and letters of contemporary observers) make possible to highlight the Neapolitan debut of the famous Tuscan soprano Celeste Coltellini, destined to become one of the most appreciated singers in the city. Interesting details concerning changes in librettos and scores are added.