The Rise of Opera

Abstract

portion of the finale includes two remarkable passages testifying to the high skill of contemporary violone players: a change to the tenor clef marks the beginning of a passage of harmonics for the violone indicated by the word 'Flautino', while a few bars later a second passage in the tenor clef consists of flautino triple stops for the violone against pizzicato cello and arco violin (see illus.3). In recent years players of modern double bass instruments have given frequent performances of a few works from this period that feature a solo double bass, in particular the concertos by Dittersdorf and Vanhal. But as yet this welcome trend has not been accompanied by the development of period instruments. Perhaps as the extent of the potential repertoire becomes clearer, embracing as it does chamber music as well as concertante orchestral music, instrument makers and players will be encouraged to propagate performances on more appropriate instruments. Only then will works such as the concertos by Vanhal and Dittersdorf cease to be regarded as historical and aural curiosities.