1718–1777 · Classical
Emanuele Barbella (1718–1777) was a Neapolitan composer, violinist and music teacher. He studied with his father and several teachers, and played in the orchestras of Naples theatres and in the Royal Chapel. His works include a comic opera, trios, duets and sonatas for strings. The site offers his sonatas for two mandolins.
Emanuele Barbella was born in Naples on 14 April 1718. His father, Francesco Barbella, was a music teacher, and his mother was called Antonia Mushettola. The boy took his first violin lessons from his father.
His father was a violinist who taught violin at the Santa Maria di Loreto conservatory. Emanuele later went on with the violin under Angelo Zaga and under Pasquale Bini, a pupil of Tartini.
Barbella's teacher at the Santa Maria di Loreto conservatory was Nicola Vitolo. Within its walls he took up music theory and composition under Michele Caballone, and those lessons lasted until 1740.
After Caballone died in 1740, Barbella's teacher became Leonardo Leo. He studied with him from 1740 to 1744.
In 1753 Barbella took the post of first violinist at the Teatro Nuovo in Naples. That same year he wrote several arias, a duet and a finale for the opera buffa Elmira generosa, to a libretto by Pietro Trinchera. He worked on this opera together with Nicola Bonifacio Logroscino.
In 1756 he was taken on as a violinist in the Royal Chapel of Naples. From 1761 until the end of his life he played in the orchestra of the Teatro San Carlo.
His contemporaries esteemed him as a virtuoso.
In October 1770 the British music historian Charles Burney heard Barbella's music. It happened at a dinner in the home of William Hamilton, the British ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples. Burney called Barbella the best violinist in Naples.
A friendship grew between them. They corresponded until 1773, when Burney was wrongly informed that the musician had died.
Besides the notes on Barbella in his travel diary, Burney printed the music of Barbella's Lullaby in the third volume of his General History of Music from the earliest ages to the Present period. That volume was first published in London in 1789.
There is a supposition that Barbella not only visited Britain but even lived in London for some time. Several of his works were first published there.
Barbella never married and had no children. He died in Naples in January 1777.
Among his students was Ignazio Raimondi.
Barbella left behind the comic opera Elmira generosa, a joint work with Nicola Bonifacio Logroscino, as well as a great many chamber pieces for strings.
His list of works includes the lullaby Tinna noonna for violin and bass; 12 trios for two violins and bass (or for violin, violetta and bass); 33 duets for two violins (or for mandolin and bass); 12 solos for violin and bass (or for two violins); and 6 sonatas for two violins, cello and harpsichord.
The site offers his sonatas for two mandolins. Sonata a Due Mandolini e Basso (Gimo 18) is marked with the level "Beginner". Sonata a Due Mandolini (Gimo 12) is at the "Intermediate" level, while Sonata a Due Mandolini (Gimo 13), Sonata a Due Mandolini (Gimo 14) and Sonata a Due Mandolini (Gimo 15) are at "Intermediate+". You can begin with Gimo 18 and move on in order of increasing difficulty.