Lanzetti / Balssa / Verzier

Sonates a Violoncello Solo E Basso Continuo Lanzetti / Balssa / Verzier

Although Lanzetti was remained unknown until the beginning of the 1980's, in his lifetime he was regarded as a brilliant 'cellist. Yet his virtuosity on the instrument never equalled his fame, which was eclipsed by the popularity of another great 18th century Napolian 'cellist, Franceschiello.

In any case, the skills of Lanzetti as a 'cellist were inimitable. He was born in Naples in 1709, under the name of Lancetti (in Torino, where he lived for many years, the 'cello was pronounced violinzello, which explains the change in spelling of his name). He studied at the Conservatorio di Santa Maria di Loreto, the most renowned school for 'cellists in the eighteenth century, where he received lessons from the greatest 'cellists of the Neapolitan school. He later moved to Torino, where he became 'cellist of the Court Theatre, and a member of the Capella Reale. During his lifetime, Lanzetti toured Europe several times. The most celebrated visits were his the Concert Spirituels, and to London (1730 and in the 1740's) and Hamburg (1751).