Alessandro Scarlatti, classical music composer

Alessandro Scarlatti image

Alessandro Scarlatti

Biography

A prominent late Baroque composer in Italy, producing in excess of 600 cantatas, 100 operas, as well as many oratorios, serenatas and instrumental pieces, Alessandro Scarlatti also partially owes his fame to being the father of Domenico Scarlatti, one of the most influential and creative composers of keyboard music during the 18th century. Recognition of Alessandro's music waned after his death and was resigned to wait until the 20th century to be revived. He was born in Palermo on May 2, 1660 but little is known of his early life and musical education. At the age of twelve, he was sent to Rome and may have studied with Giacomo Carissimi. There is also a possibility that he was connected in some way during this time with northern Italy as his early music shows the influence of Alessandro Stradella and Giovanni Legrenzi.

A production of Gli Equivoci nell sembiante (1679) in Rome drew the interest of Queen Christina of Sweden, who at the time was residing in the city, and Scarlatti became her maestro di capella, holding the post until 1684. Following his leave from the Queen's service, he departed for Naples where he served in the same position to the Viceroy of Naples, Marquis del Carpio, and produced a large number of operas.

Scarlatti left Naples in 1702 and travelled to Florence with his son, Domenico. He had hoped to secure a post with Ferdinando de' Medici, but was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he did produce a fair amount of music for the Prince's private theater. The following year, he returned to Rome as the music director of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Yet, the Pope's ban on theatrical performances was vexing, to say the least, to such a prolific composer of opera. Despite being promoted to maestro di capella in 1707, Scarlatti left Rome once again for Naples, this time because of financial reasons, and returned to serve in his former post. However, the move was not entirely beneficial. Though Scarlatti continued to compose at a prolific rate, the Neapolitan public had grown cold to his music. Ironically, the Pope's ban on theatrical music was lifted and Scarlatti's operas were much more favorably received in Rome, where he spent much of the years of 1718-22. Despite all this, Scarlatti's financial situation worsened. He returned to Naples in 1722 and his creative output began to decrease. On October 24, 1725, he died in Naples.


Composer Title Date Action
Alessandro Scarlatti Con voce festiva, from 7 arie con tromba sola 03/01/2009 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Rompe sprezza, from 7 arie con tromba sola 03/01/2009 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Mio tesoro, from 7 arie con tromba sola 03/01/2009 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Concerto Grosso No. 1 10/14/2010 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Già il sole dal Gange, from L'honestà negli amori 04/28/2013 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti O cessate di piagarmi, from Il Pompeo 04/28/2013 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Cara tomba, from Il Mitridate Eupatore 04/28/2013 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Di Mitridate genitor...Dolce stimola al tuo bel care, from Mitridate Eupatore 04/27/2014 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Dolce cara allegrezza inaudita, from Mitridate Eupatore 04/27/2014 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti In voler cio che tu brami, from La Griselda 04/26/2015 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Sinfonia, from La Griselda 04/26/2015 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Aria, from Oratorio La Santissima Vergine del Rosario 04/26/2015 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Caro figlio, from Il Sedecia, re di Gerusalemme 04/29/2018 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Caldo sangue, from Il Sedecia, re di Gerusalemme 04/29/2018 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Stabat Mater 04/28/2019 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Onde, ferro, fiamme e morte, from Gli equivoci nel sembiante 04/27/2020 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Credo, from Messa di Santa Cecilia 11/14/2022 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Concerto Grosso no.4 in G minor 05/01/2023 Play Add to playlist
Alessandro Scarlatti Kyrie, from Santa Cecilia Mass 05/01/2023 Play Add to playlist