Le Lettere Russe di Paisiello

The Russian Letters of Paisiello

Paola De Simone and Giuseppina Giuliano

Pierfrancesco Nacca, actor

Pina Giannascoli, harpsichord

The volume explores the deep connection between Giovanni Paisiello and Russia, both during his time in St. Petersburg as chapel master from 1776 to 1784, and later upon his return to Naples. The publication includes sixteen unpublished letters written between 1780 and 1816 from Paisiello to Count Semen Voroncov, a Russian diplomat and patron of the composer. The letters highlight the connection between Paisiello, the court of Catherine II, and the future Empress Maria Feodorovna.

The essay tells the story of the friendship between Paisiello and Voroncov, based on the bond with the count's wife, Ekaterina Senjavina, a student of the composer. After the premature death of Ekaterina, the musical passion of the count's daughter becomes a reason for the exchange of compositions between Paisiello and Voroncov.

The volume includes a transcription of the letters and the essay by Paola De Simone, which analyzes historical and musicological data, providing new information about the life and works of Paisiello. Two appendices complete the work: one with the catalog of Paisiello's compositions performed in Russia and another with letters sent to Abate Ferdinando Galiani, correcting previous errors. The volume fills in the biographical gaps of Paisiello, highlighting the importance of his stay in Russia in the evolution of European music in the 18th century.
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