About
Italian composer from the 17th century who is famous for his cantata arrangements and for using the format of a concerto grosso in music. He wrote six baroque operas and more than 170 cantatas. He was murdered in Genoa because of a suspected elopement with a Venetian senator's wife.
Before Fame
He came from a Tuscan aristocratic family, but was educated in Rome. He was composing music by the age of 24.
Trivia
He attempted to embezzle money from the Roman Catholic Church with Carlo Ambrogio Lonati, but they were found out. As a result, he was forced to flee. In 1677 he was the victim of an attempted assassination while living in Turin. The two men who were hired to perform the murder fled to France to seek the protection of Louis XIV. He had numerous affairs, making powerful enemies, and eventually had to leave Rome for good.
Family Life
He lived in a variety of Italian cities, including Modena, Rome, Florence, and Venice. His father was Cavaliere Marc' Antonio Stradella of Piacenza. He ran away with and married Agnese Van Uffele, the wife of a Venetian nobleman.
Associated With
It is said that pieces by George Frideric Handel, such as "Israel in Egypt," may have borrowed from works of his.
