Sounds around the Prince of Sansevero. Music for Raimondo di Sangro and Carlotta Gaetani

Abstract

Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero (1710-1771), is known for his eccentric ideas as well as for the Masonic symbolism he adopted in rebuilding his family chapel, in downtown Naples. This essay traces his musical interests, so far under-researched. The sonoric element in some of his inventions are highlighted. Data are collected on the carrillon he commissioned, built after North European models. Theatrical texts related to his patronage are reproduced, including the dialect libretto, Li sconquasse de lo Pennino (1757). Attention is given to his wife, Carlotta Gaetani, the dedicatee of a little-known Neapolitan book, Scelta di arie del dramma “L'eroe cinese”, set to music by Baldassarre Galuppi for the San Carlo Theater (1753). The final section of the essay is devoted to Raimondo’s offspring: his eldest son, Vincenzo, who commissioned Gian Francesco de Majo a composition for a special occasion; his beloved daughter, Carlotta, composer Silvestro Palma’s patron; and above all Francesco, who had ties to Carlo Gozzi, prolific comedy author, also active as theatrical promoter and organizer.