Divertimenti per camera a violino, violone, cimbalo, flauto e mandola, Op. 2 - Boni, Giuseppe Gaetano after 1750-ca. 1750 (Rome Cleton, 1720)
Beautiful print
Bologna-born Pietro Gaetano Boni settled in Rome in 1711 and served as ‘cello virtuoso’ to Corelli’s patron Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, to whom his twelve Sonate per camera a violoncello e cembalo op.1 (Rome, 1717) were dedicated. He has long been forgotten along with his compositions and technical achievements on his instrument. In 1717, perhaps as a result of the publication of his op.1, he was made a member of the Accademia Filarmonica, Bologna. On the title-page of his Divertimenti Op.2 he is described as a priest.
Dedicatee was probably Don Marino Caracciolo VI (* 22-2-1696 + 1-7-1745). The House of Caracciolo is a prominent aristocratic family originating from the ancient kingdom of Naples, the first traces of which date back to the 10th century. The Caracciolos are considered one of the most important families in the history of the Kingdom of Naples, and also held relevant posts in the Spanish Empire.
10 sonatas for the violin or traverso and basso continuo (specified on the title page: violone, harpsichord and mandola) on the cover though it says simply for violin solo and cello
The mandore, called mandola in Italy, is a small member of the lute family, teardrop shaped, with four to six courses of gut strings and pitched in the treble range.
Called "Divertimenti per Camera" on cover, "Divertimenti" on title page, and "Sonata" in the score itself
Keywords: 18th Century (1701-1800); Sonata; Prelude; Courante; Sarabande; Allemande; Gigue; Minuet; Freedom; Rome (Italy); ad libitum bezetting