Nicolo Jommelli (1714-74) was a pretty good composer of opera and religious music, very little of which is performed today. With one foot in the late Baroque and the other in the early Classical period, he managed to be overshadowed at both ends by his betters, although many observers claim he influenced Mozart. The work featured here is an “intermezzo” (think La serva padrona), one of those peculiar, light demi-operas that were often performed between the acts of larger works. In the case of Don Trastullo, it was performed in two halves, each a half-hour.
The plot concerns a soprano (Arsenia) and tenor (Giambarone) who outwit a bumbling bass (Don Trastullo) so they can have enough money to run away and marry–what a hoot! About a quarter of the work is secco recitative; the rest includes two arias for tenor, two for soprano, two larger-scaled arias for bass, two terzetts, and a soprano/tenor duet. The music is pleasant and well-performed and the characters are well-drawn within the music, with less basso-buffo bumbling than usual. The recits are dead-in-the-water. The Cappella de’Turchini is a terrific period-instrument band and Antonio Florio is a competent leader. After I listen and enjoy this one more time, it will make a nice coaster.
