In his day, Niccolò Piccinni (1728-1800) was one of the most popular composers of opera—particularly the Neapolitan opera buffa, as well as comic operas, serious operas and, in his later career, French tragedies. By far the most popular of Piccinni’s was La buona figliuola, to a libretto by Goldoni. Three years (and, astonishingly, 22 operas) later, Piccinni returned to Goldoni with Le donne vindicate (“The women avenged”) of 1763, a musical farce in two intermezzi that tell one complete story and are meant to be performed together, in between acts of an “opera seria”. This adorable little masterpiece, just above one hour playing time, is deftly written. Its rather silly plot deals with a couple of ladies who are offended by a rebuke from a self-regarding Count, take their revenge, culminating in a mock-duel, and end up with one of them marrying him and the other marrying their champion. The music is quick-paced and spirited, with several charming and gracefully written arias, a couple of gently plaintive ones, and some highly interesting ensembles, among which is an early example of the “chain finale” championed by Mozart, where changes in tempo and metre very efficiently rev up the action and the dramatic situation. Piccinni’s textures are light, in the usual Neapolitan/Italian style. In this new recording, the Collegium Musicum Bari and a roster of excellent singers is led by Rino Marroni who studied at the… Piccinni Conservatory in that very same city. © SM/Qobuz