Personalities | Johann Adolf Hasse | Classical Era | Classical
(Yo’-han A’-dolf Has’-se) 1699–1783
German composer and tenor
Born just outside Hamburg, Hasse became the leading Italian opera composer of his time. He began his career as a tenor, went to Italy for training (under Alessandro Scarlatti, 1660–1725, and others), and had operas given in Naples; he married Faustina Bordoni (1700–81), a famous soprano who had sung for Handel in London and for whom that composer had also written several pieces. Hasse held a post as Kapellmeister at the Italianate Dresden court, but was in constant demand elsewhere, especially in Naples, Venice and above all Vienna. Metastasio favoured him above all others who set his librettos; a graceful and polished melodist, he was called by Burney ‘the most natural, elegant, and judicious composer of vocal music, as well as the most voluminous’. In his late years he chiefly wrote sacred music.
Recommended Recording:
Piramo e Tisbe, La Stagione Frankfurt (dir) Michael Schneider (Capriccio)
Introduction | Classical Era | Classical
Personalities | Joseph Haydn | Classical Era | Classical
AUTHORITATIVE
An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...
CURATED
Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.
David Bowie
Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers
his life, music, art and movies, with a
sweep of incredible photographs.
