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	Alessandro Scarlatti (May 2, 1660 - October 24, 1725) was an Italian composer of the Baroque period. His music is an important link between the vocal music of the early Baroque, centered in Florence, Venice and Rome, and the classical school of song of the 18th century. He wrote numerous operas and chants, and is considered the "father" of Neapolitan opera. Scarlatti was born in Palermo, then part of the Kingdom of Sicily. He performed his first opera in 1679 which moved Queen Christina of Sweden, then living in Rome, and offered him the position of Maestro di Cappella. In February 1684, with the possible mediation of his sister, who was an opera singer, he was appointed music director of the chapel of the Regent of Naples; while there, he composed many important works for national holidays and anniversaries. In 1702 he left Naples after its conquest by the Spaniards and found a professional home under Ferdinando Medici, for whom he wrote many operas, performed at his private theater near Florence. In addition, he took over the musical direction of the chapel of Cardinal Ottoboni, who next year proposes him as conductor at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. He returned to Naples in 1708 and lived until 1717; then he lived in Rome, where some of his best operas were staged; he also composed at that period some of his best religious works. His last large-scale work is considered to be the unfinished serenade, which he wrote for the weddings of Prince Stiliano in 1723. Scarlatti died in Naples in 1725.

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Scarlatti 1660 - 1725 (65)

QUOTES

Alessandro Scarlatti (May 2, 1660 - October 24, 1725) was an Italian composer of the Baroque period. His music is an important link between the vocal music of the early Baroque, centered in Florence, Venice and Rome, and the classical school of song of the 18th century. He wrote numerous operas and chants, and is considered the "father" of Neapolitan opera.

Scarlatti was born in Palermo, then part of the Kingdom of Sicily. He performed his first opera in 1679 which moved Queen Christina of Sweden, then living in Rome, and offered him the position of Maestro di Cappella. In February 1684, with the possible mediation of his sister, who was an opera singer, he was appointed music director of the chapel of the Regent of Naples; while there, he composed many important works for national holidays and anniversaries.

In 1702 he left Naples after its conquest by the Spaniards and found a professional home under Ferdinando Medici, for whom he wrote many operas, performed at his private theater near Florence. In addition, he took over the musical direction of the chapel of Cardinal Ottoboni, who next year proposes him as conductor at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. He returned to Naples in 1708 and lived until 1717; then he lived in Rome, where some of his best operas were staged; he also composed at that period some of his best religious works. His last large-scale work is considered to be the unfinished serenade, which he wrote for the weddings of Prince Stiliano in 1723. Scarlatti died in Naples in 1725.