THE SCARLATTIS
During the Baroque, several families made their mark in the world of
music. In Italy there were few families more influential than the
Scarlattis.
This story begins with the birth of Alessandro Scarlatti in Palermo, Italy in 1660. In 1679, Alessandro bet everything he had on his first opera which was huge success and cemented his reputation as a composer, especially of vocal music. His catalogue of work is dominated by vocal music, secular and sacred, in what is called the Neapolitan style. He remained in Rome until 1684 when he accepted an appointment as the maestro di cappella to the Viceroy of Naples.
Alessandro’s sixth child, Guiseppe Domenico Scarlatti, was born the next year in Naples. Undoubtedly Domenico learned his craft from his father and other relatives. At the age of 16 he was appointed the organist of the Naples Royal Chapel with his own father as his boss. Alessandro was very demanding of Domenico and influenced his career for the better part of 20 years.
Finally, in 1719, Domenico left for Lisbon, Portugal. Domenico was now free, free from his father’s influence and his father’s music. Domenico began to explore music of his own, improvising and composing at the keyboard in the styles that surrounded him.
This story begins with the birth of Alessandro Scarlatti in Palermo, Italy in 1660. In 1679, Alessandro bet everything he had on his first opera which was huge success and cemented his reputation as a composer, especially of vocal music. His catalogue of work is dominated by vocal music, secular and sacred, in what is called the Neapolitan style. He remained in Rome until 1684 when he accepted an appointment as the maestro di cappella to the Viceroy of Naples.
Alessandro’s sixth child, Guiseppe Domenico Scarlatti, was born the next year in Naples. Undoubtedly Domenico learned his craft from his father and other relatives. At the age of 16 he was appointed the organist of the Naples Royal Chapel with his own father as his boss. Alessandro was very demanding of Domenico and influenced his career for the better part of 20 years.
Finally, in 1719, Domenico left for Lisbon, Portugal. Domenico was now free, free from his father’s influence and his father’s music. Domenico began to explore music of his own, improvising and composing at the keyboard in the styles that surrounded him.
http://digital.vpr.net/post/timeline-alessandro-and-domenico-scarlatti
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