Gasparini, Francesco

1668-1727 or 1737

Italian composer; born near Lucca, studied under Corelli and Pasquini at Rome, and later taught at the Conservatory della Pieta in Venice. Two years before his death (upon the date of which authorities differ) he was appointed chapelmaster at the Lateran, Rome; but the real responsibility of the position devolved upon an assistant, on account, it is said, of his advanced age. He is said to have been much esteemed in his time for his compositions in both sacred and dramatic music. His works include from thirty to forty operas, produced in Venice, Rome, and elsewhere; a number of masses, songs, cantatas, and motets; an oratorio, Moses; and a method of thorough-bass accompaniment which has outlived his musical compositions, and was used up to about the middle of the last century. The well-known Benedetto Marcello was his pupil for a number of years.