Cesti, Marcantonio

1620-1669

Was a famous operatic composer and an ecclesiastic, a native of Arezzo, according to Baini, but of Florence, according to Adami. He became a pupil of Carissimi and was one of Monteverde's most faithful followers. He is credited with being the originator of the cantata and is best, known by his cantatas, of which he composed a large number. He was chapelmaster to Ferdinand II. of Medici at Florence in 1646 and a tenor singer in the Vatican chapel in 1660. From 1666 to 1669 he was assistant chapelmaster to the Emperor Leopold I. at Vienna, then returned to Venice. He wrote several operas, among them II Porno d'Oro, which was produced in Vienna, in 1667; La Dori; and L'Orontea, his first opera, which was produced first in Venice, in 1649. With the exception of II Porno and La Dori his operas are now known only by name. The manuscripts of many of his cantatas are in the music school of Oxford, in the British Museum and in libraries on the Continent.