Nicola Fiorenza

Nicola (Nicolò) Fiorenza (born after 1700 in Naples; died 13 April 1764) was an Italian violinist and composer of the early Neapolitan classical period.

Life

Fiorenza was educated at the Conservatorio S. Maria di Loreto, presumably also by Francesco Barbella. In 1726 Fiorenza was a cellist in the Neapolitan court orchestra, replacing Francesco Alborea who had moved to Vienna. He later got a steady job as a violinist. From 1758 he held the post of concert master of the Royal Court Orchestra, as successor to Domenico de Matteis.

In 1743 Fiorenza and four other equally qualified candidates were vying to become the head of the strings class at the Conservatorio S. Maria di Loreto. The decision was to be made by drawing lots. Fiorenza drew the winning lot and became teacher of the class of the institute that was led by Francesco Durante. From around 1760, claims were made against Fiorenza that he beat and threatened his students resulting in some students abandoning their studies. For this reason, the management of the Conservatorio were forced to dismiss Fiorenza in 1762.

Cultural background

Naples played a very important role in European music of the 18th century. With its theaters, schools and particularly four conservatories, the city was a breeding ground for musicians and artists that produced in this period a remarkable musical style.

Works

Fiorenza's musical legacy consists of about thirty traditional hand-written compositions that date from the period between 1726 and 1736. However, it is assumed that during the period he taught at the Conservatorio he wrote more works. The currently available works include violin sonatas, trio sonatas, string symphonies with three and four violins and solo concerts for various instruments. Stylistically, his works range from the strict pattern of Corelli's church sonatas to the galant work of Durante.