Bernardo Pasquini - Definition and Overview

Bernardo Pasquini

Bernardo Pasquini (December 7, 1637 - November 22, 1710), was an Italian composer of opera and church music.

He was born at Massa in Val di Nievole (Tuscany). He was a pupil of Marc' Antonio Cesti and Loreto Vittori. He came to Rome while still young and entered the service of Prince Borghese; later he became organist of Santa Maria Maggiore. He enjoyed the protection of Queen Christina of Sweden, in whose honour an opera of his, Dov'è amore è pieta, was produced in 1679.

During Alessandro Scarlatti's second stay in Rome (1703-1708), Pasquini and Arcangelo Corelli were frequently associated with Scarlatti in musical performances, especially in connection with the Arcadian Academy, of which all three were members. Pasquini died at Rome, and was buried in the church of St Lorenzo in Lucina.

He is also remembered as a vigorous composer for the harpsichord.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.