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Scarlatti, Domenico
Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti, was an Italian composer born on October 26, 1685, in Naples. He is classified primarily as a late Baroque composer, although his music was influential in the development of the Classical style. Scarlatti was the son of the renowned composer Alessandro Scarlatti and is best known for his 555 keyboard sonatas, although little is known of their chronology. While he composed other works like operas, cantatas, and liturgical pieces, it is the sonatas are what cemented his place in music history.
He was appointed as a composer and organist at the Chapel Royal of Naples in 1701 and briefly worked under his father, who was then the chapel’s maestro di cappella. In 1703, he revised Carlo Francesco Pollarolo’s opera “Irene” for performance at Naples.
After moving to Rome in 1709, Scarlatti entered the service of the exiled Polish queen Marie Casimira and met Thomas Roseingrave. He was already an accomplished harpsichordist and composed several operas for Queen Casimir’s private theatre. He held the position of Maestro di Cappella at St. Peter’s from 1715 to 1719.
Scarlatti’s later life included positions in Lisbon, Seville, and Madrid, where he became a music master to Princess Maria Barbara, who had married into the Spanish royal house. Scarlatti spent much of his life in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families. This is reflected in much of his music which is characterized by its originality, its innovative use of the harpsichord, and its incorporation of Iberian folk music elements. These qualities make his output a unique and influential contribution to the keyboard repertoire.
He passed away on July 23, 1757, in Madrid.
He was appointed as a composer and organist at the Chapel Royal of Naples in 1701 and briefly worked under his father, who was then the chapel’s maestro di cappella. In 1703, he revised Carlo Francesco Pollarolo’s opera “Irene” for performance at Naples.
After moving to Rome in 1709, Scarlatti entered the service of the exiled Polish queen Marie Casimira and met Thomas Roseingrave. He was already an accomplished harpsichordist and composed several operas for Queen Casimir’s private theatre. He held the position of Maestro di Cappella at St. Peter’s from 1715 to 1719.
Scarlatti’s later life included positions in Lisbon, Seville, and Madrid, where he became a music master to Princess Maria Barbara, who had married into the Spanish royal house. Scarlatti spent much of his life in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families. This is reflected in much of his music which is characterized by its originality, its innovative use of the harpsichord, and its incorporation of Iberian folk music elements. These qualities make his output a unique and influential contribution to the keyboard repertoire.
He passed away on July 23, 1757, in Madrid.