Perti, Jacopo Antonio

1661-1756

Important composer of the Seventeenth Century Italian School. Born and died at Bologna. He was educated at the Jesuit School at Bologna, and studied music first with his uncle, Lorenzo Perti, and later under Padre Petronio Franceschini. In 1679 his first opera, Atide, was produced in his native city; the next year his first mass was given under his direction at San Petronio; and in 1681 he became a member of the Accademia Filarmonica, of which he was afterwards many times president. Two more operas, Oreste, and Flavio, were given at Bologna, and Marzio Coriolano was brought out at Venice in 1683. In 1690 he became chapelmaster of San Pietro, Bologna, and six years later was appointed to the same position at San Petrono, in which office he remained until his death. His operas, twenty-one in number, were nearly all given at Venice, notably, Rosauro, and L'incoronazione di Dario; Brenno in Efeso, L'ingannp scoperto per vendetta, Furio Camillo, Nerone Fatto Cesare, and Laodicea e Berenice. His sacred compositions include several Passions; the oratorios, Abramo vincitor de propri affetti, Giesu al sepulcro, and La Morte di Giesu; a cantata, morali e spirituali; motets; masses; and many choruses.