Luigi Marchesi as court singer

On 23rd April 1782 Luigi Marchesi was appointed «virtuoso» of the Savoy Royal Court Chapel thanks to his «particolare abilità nella musica vocale» and «virtuose qualità di saviezza, probità ed onoratezza»: a title the singer maintained for life, despite his brilliant career in the theatres throughout Europe. The paper intends to shed some light on Marchesi’s court service and his relationship with patrons and composers engaged in the productions of Turin Royal Court Chapel and Royal Theatre. It also examines some little known sacred and operatic manuscript compositions, modelled on his impressive singing technique and extraordinary range, from Italian and foreign libraries and archives