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Alessandro Scarlatti

Alessandro Scarlatti

Born: 2nd May 1660, Palermo

Died: 22nd October 1725, Naples

Nationality: Italian

Pietro Alessandro Gaspare Scarlatti was an Italian Baroque composer, known especially for his operas and chamber cantatas. He is considered the most important representative of the Neapolitan school of opera.

Nicknamed by his contemporaries "the Italian Orpheus", he divided his career between Naples and Rome; a significant part of his works was composed for the papal city. He is often considered the founder of the Neapolitan school, although he has only been its most illustrious representative: his contribution, his originality and his influence were essential, as well as lasting, both in Italy and in Europe.

Particularly known for his operas, he brought the Italian dramatic tradition to its maximum development, begun by Monteverdi at the beginning of 17th century and continued by Cesti, Cavalli, Carissimi, Legrenzi and Stradella, designing the final form of the Da capo aria, imitated throughout Europe.

Further Reading: Scarlatti, A

  • Gelosia from Philippe Jaroussky and Artaserse

    24th Oct 2025by Katherine Cooper

    The French countertenor does battle with the green-eyed monster in a programme of secular Italian cantatas, featuring two popular examples by Handel and Vivaldi, one relative rarity by Alessandro Scarlatti, and world premiere recordings of works by Porpora and Galuppi.

  • Kate Lindsey on Arianna

    11th Feb 2020by Katherine Cooper

    The American mezzo (currently starring as Nerone in Handel's Agrippina at the Metropolitan Opera) talks to Katherine about her new recording of cantatas by Alessandro Scarlatti, Handel and Haydn, released last month on Alpha.

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