Angelo Mariani (1821-1873) e le sue idee sull’orchestra: nuovi documenti

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is the reconstruction of the history and activity of the conductor and composer Angelo Mariani in Genoa as head of the civic orchestra, particularly through Genoese documents and external evidences. On the 1st of July 1852 Mariani was appointed «First violin and conductor» of the civic orchestra at the Carlo Felice theatre of Genoa. He held this position until his death. Besides, in 1854 Mariani was appointed first violin and conductor of the music chapel of the Jesuit church of St. Ambrogio in Genoa, an institution funded by the Pallavicini family and one of the two church orchestras active in Genoa in the middle of the 19th century. In the historical archive of the town of Genoa we can find a rich documentation relating to Mariani and his relationship with the orchestra and the municipal administration. The documents let us know the engagements, the conditions of employ of musicians, etc. We can shed light on the life of musicians in the mid-19th century, and on the art and craft of orchestral conducting during 19th century.