Stizzoso, Mio Stizzoso

Stizzoso, Mio Stizzoso by Giovanni Pergolesi (Liz Pierce Senior Recital at Ohio Northern University) This sassy piece is from Pergolesi&opera La Serva Padrona, which premiered in Naples in 1733. Gennarantonio Federico wrote the libretto based on the play by Jacopo Nelli. La Serva Padrona translates as The Maid Turned Mistress and is a good example of opera buffa, or comic opera. It is believed that Pergolesi&story of a master loving a servant greatly entertained the public and the concept inspired Gluck and Mozart to compose similar stories. In the first scene, Uberto asks his servant, Serpina, to bring his chocolate and in response she defiantly sings to her "cross one".