Vivienne Olive

This One for J. P.

Maria Rosa Coccia (1759-1833), a contemporary of Mozart's, was born in Rome, the city in which she also received her musical training. She became a member of the Accademia Filarmonican in Bologna. She experien-ced great success at the age of 13 when her oratorio Daniello was performed 'before a large and distinguis-hed audience' in the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella (Rome). The spirited Dixit Dominus, set for double choir by the 16 year old composer, gives proof of her mastery of the sacred compositional style which was so carefully fostered in Rome.