Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

January 5, 1667 in Venice, Italy

Death

:

January 5, 1740 in Venice, Italy

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Antonio Lotti was a prominent Italian composer of the Baroque era, known for his contributions to the development of opera and sacred music. Born in Venice in 1667, Lotti showed an early aptitude for music and began his formal training as a choirboy at the Basilica di San Marco. He later studied under the renowned composer Giovanni Legrenzi, who had a significant influence on Lotti's musical style. Lotti's early works were primarily vocal compositions, including motets and madrigals. In 1692, he was appointed as the maestro di cappella at the Basilica di San Marco, a prestigious position that he held for over 30 years. During this time, Lotti composed a number of sacred works for the church, including masses, psalms, and hymns. One of Lotti's most famous works is his Crucifixus, a setting of the text from the Credo of the Mass. This piece is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which were unusual for the time. Lotti's innovative approach to harmony and melody would later influence composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach. In addition to his sacred music, Lotti also composed a number of operas. His first opera, Giove in Argo, was premiered in Venice in 1717 and was well-received by audiences. Lotti's operas were known for their lyrical melodies and expressive vocal writing, and he was considered one of the leading composers of opera seria in Italy during the early 18th century. Lotti's later years were marked by personal tragedy, including the deaths of his wife and two of his children. Despite these hardships, he continued to compose and was highly regarded by his contemporaries. He died in Venice in 1740 at the age of 73. Today, Lotti is remembered as one of the most important composers of the Baroque era. His contributions to the development of opera and sacred music have had a lasting impact on the classical music tradition, and his works continue to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

More....