Nicholas Humprey

The San Francisco Chronicle called Scarlatti’s La Gloria di Primavera a “feast of vocal invention, supplemented by wondrous instrumental writing for a strikingly large orchestra” after Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Nicholas McGegan presented acclaimed western hemisphere premiere performances in October 2015. PBO and McGegan are delighted to be the first to record this newly-discovered 300 year old serenata. After Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI acquired the kingdom of Naples in a treaty, the Neapolitans commissioned their court composer, Alessandro Scarlatti, to compose a grand serenata to celebrate the birth of Charles VI’s son, prince John Leopold. Scarlatti wrote the piece within a few weeks and it was performed to audiences in Naples immediately following the birth. Unfortunately, just months after La Gloria di Primavera premiered, the celebrated infant died and the incredible work was forgotten.

Young Nicholas and his family enjoy a comfortable life, until Nicholas' father dies and the family is left penniless. Nicholas, his sister and mother venture to London to seek help from their Uncle Ralph

Nicholas Mudd grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, surrounded by horse country and lush farmland, and Mudd found himself immersed in country, southern rock, and traditional folk music. It was evident from a young age that he had inherited his grandfather’s musical interests. Leonard Mudd, now 95, always had a collection of guitars, mandolins, fiddles, dulcimers, and banjos sprinkled around his home, and still manages to make music from time to time.