If we examine the scanty information we have about Luigi Gianella's life, we cannot help but notice that he was present and active in the greatest musical institutions of his time, both in Italy and in France. His compositions were staged at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and at the Opéra in Paris, and he performed at the funeral of Domenico Cimarosa, one of the most famous composers in Europe. So his fame among his contemporaries must have been much greater than we can imagine today, as is often the case with musicians and composers who have been undeservedly forgotten.

The three concertanti duets for flute and harp op.2 were published in Paris by Jean-Henri Naderman, in two separate parts: one for flute and one for harp (modern edition edited by Anna Pasetti for Ut Orpheus Edizioni, Bologna, 2002). The work consists of three pieces, each divided into three movements.

As a whole, these compositions stand out for variety and richness of melodic invention, and demonstrate Luigi Gianella’s musical creativity.