Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

July 18, 1670 in Modena, Italy

Death

:

July 9, 1747 in Vienna, Austria

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Giovanni Bononcini was an Italian composer of the Baroque era, born in Modena on July 18, 1670. He was the son of Giovanni Maria Bononcini, a musician and composer, and Maddalena Zamboni. His father was his first music teacher, and he received further training from the organist and composer Giuseppe Corsi. Bononcini's musical career began in his hometown of Modena, where he served as a cellist and singer in the court chapel. In 1690, he moved to Rome, where he worked as a composer and performer for various noble families. He also studied with the composer and theorist Arcangelo Corelli, who had a significant influence on his style. In 1698, Bononcini moved to Vienna, where he was appointed court composer to Emperor Leopold I. He remained in Vienna for three years, during which time he composed a number of operas and other works. In 1701, he returned to Italy and settled in Venice, where he became one of the leading composers of opera in the city. Bononcini's operas were highly successful, and he was known for his melodic and expressive style. His most famous works include "Xerse," "Astarto," and "Camilla." He also composed a number of oratorios, cantatas, and instrumental works. In 1720, Bononcini was invited to London to work for the Royal Academy of Music, which had been established to promote Italian opera in the city. He arrived in London with his brother, Antonio Maria Bononcini, who was also a composer. The two brothers were initially very successful, but their rivalry soon led to a scandal that rocked the London music scene. In 1727, Bononcini was accused of plagiarism by the composer George Frideric Handel, who had also been working for the Royal Academy of Music. Handel claimed that Bononcini had stolen a melody from one of his own works and used it in a new composition. The accusation was proven to be true, and Bononcini was forced to leave the Royal Academy of Music in disgrace. After leaving London, Bononcini returned to Italy, where he continued to compose and perform. He died in Vienna on July 9, 1747, at the age of 76. Despite the scandal that marred his reputation in London, Bononcini remains an important figure in the history of Baroque music. His operas and other works are still performed today, and his influence can be heard in the music of later composers such as Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. Bononcini's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, expressive harmonies, and elegant ornamentation. He was particularly skilled at writing for the voice, and his operas are known for their beautiful arias and duets. His instrumental works, such as his sonatas and concertos, are also highly regarded for their technical virtuosity and expressive power. In conclusion, Giovanni Bononcini was a talented and influential composer of the Baroque era. His music was highly regarded in his own time and continues to be appreciated today. Despite the scandal that tarnished his reputation in London, his legacy as a composer of beautiful and expressive music remains secure.

More....