Agata della Pietà
Italian composer Agata (1712-1769) whose surname is unknown, is identified in the records simply by her first name Agata (Italian spelling of Agatha), or as Agata Cantora (cantora means ‘singer’). She arrived at the Pietà in 1712, most likely given up by her parents because of her apparent disability. Agata soon shone as a star student.
Two composers, Andrea Bernasconi and Giovanni Porta, left manuscripts of cantatas that specifically identify Agata as a soprano soloist. Agata never married and continued to live at the Pietà, employed as a teacher of singing. Documents examined by Vanessa Tonelli reveal that in 1751, Agata was promoted to Maestra di Coro, and shortly before her death in 1769, to Priora, or Administrator. She is mentioned in a contemporary poem, of unknown authorship, which describes the Pietà’s musical life.
Compositions by Agata della Pietà appear on
Keys to Heaven
This recording by the Australian Chamber Choir starts with a work composed in 18th century Venice by an orphan of the Ospedale della Pietà, and reconstructed by Elizabeth Anderson. Works by Palestrina, and Allegri are also featured.
