About
Italian composer of the Baroque period known for writing the earliest opera on a historical subject. Though he wrote a variety of musical pieces, his most popular works are his operas La morte d'Orfeo and Il Sant'Alessio.
Before Fame
He worked as a choirmaster in Padua, then moved to Rome where he joined the papal choir and spent the rest of his life.
Trivia
Historians believe the time he spent in northern Italian cities like Padua and Venice influenced his works, as his first opera was written in that region.
Family Life
His patrons included the noble Italian Borghese and Barberini families.
Associated With
Other famous Italian composers include Antonio Vivaldi, Antonio Salieri, and Arcangelo Corelli.
