Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1732

Death

:

1770

 

Gian Francesco de Majo was an Italian composer of the Baroque and Classical periods. He was born on February 28, 1732, in Naples, Italy, to a family of musicians. His father, Giuseppe de Majo, was a composer and organist, and his mother, Maria di Gennaro, was a singer. Gian Francesco was the youngest of their six children, and he showed an early talent for music. At the age of six, Gian Francesco began studying music with his father. He learned to play the harpsichord, organ, and violin, and he also studied singing. He showed a particular talent for composition, and he began writing music at a young age. His father recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. In 1747, when Gian Francesco was fifteen years old, he was appointed as the organist at the church of Santa Maria della Stella in Naples. This was a prestigious position, and it gave him the opportunity to perform his own compositions in public. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented composer and performer, and he began to receive commissions for new works. In 1753, Gian Francesco was appointed as the maestro di cappella at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Naples. This was a significant promotion, and it gave him the opportunity to compose music for the church's choir and orchestra. He wrote a number of sacred works during this time, including masses, motets, and oratorios. In 1758, Gian Francesco was appointed as the maestro di cappella at the Royal Chapel in Naples. This was the most prestigious musical position in Naples, and it gave him the opportunity to compose music for the royal court. He wrote a number of operas, cantatas, and instrumental works during this time, and he became one of the most important composers in Naples. Gian Francesco's music was characterized by its lyricism, elegance, and emotional depth. He was influenced by the music of his contemporaries, including Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Christoph Willibald Gluck. He was also influenced by the music of the Italian Baroque, particularly the music of Alessandro Scarlatti and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. One of Gian Francesco's most famous works is his opera La Merope, which was first performed in Naples in 1767. The opera is based on a play by the French playwright Voltaire, and it tells the story of a queen who is forced to choose between her love for her son and her duty to her kingdom. The opera was a great success, and it was performed throughout Europe. Another famous work by Gian Francesco is his Stabat Mater, which was written in 1760. The Stabat Mater is a sacred work that is based on a medieval hymn that describes the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the foot of the cross. Gian Francesco's setting of the Stabat Mater is characterized by its emotional intensity and its beautiful melodies. Gian Francesco continued to compose music throughout his life, and he remained an important figure in the musical world of Naples. He died on December 11, 1770, at the age of 38. His music continued to be performed and admired after his death, and he is remembered as one of the most important composers of the Baroque and Classical periods.

More....