Antonio Lotti facts for kids

Antonio Lotti (born January 5, 1667 – died January 5, 1740) was an Italian composer from the Baroque era. He wrote many different kinds of music, including operas, masses, and madrigals.

About Antonio Lotti

Antonio Lotti was born in Venice, Italy. His father, Matteo, was a Kapellmeister (a music director) in Hanover at the time. People say that Lotti started learning music in 1682. He may have studied with Lodovico Fuga and Giovanni Legrenzi. Both of these teachers worked at St Mark's Basilica in Venice, which was a very important church.

Working in Venice

Lotti spent most of his career at St Mark's Basilica. He started as an alto singer in 1689. Later, he became an organist, first as an assistant, then as the second organist from 1692. By 1704, he was the first organist. Finally, in 1736, he became the maestro di cappella (music director). He held this important job until he died.

For a long time, some old books had wrong information about Lotti. They said he worked at a place called the Ospedale degl’ Incurabili. However, newer studies show that he was never officially employed there. There is also no proof that he wrote any music for that institution.

Lotti was known as a great teacher. Some of his students became famous composers themselves. These included Domenico Alberti, Benedetto Marcello, and Baldassare Galuppi. Lotti was married to a well-known singer named Santa Stella.

We know for sure that Lotti worked at other places in Venice. One of these was the Scuola dello Spirito Santo. In 1695, this school hired Lotti to provide music for their yearly Pentecost celebration. He worked there for at least eight years. He also changed how the music was performed, balancing singers and instruments in a new way.

In 1717, Lotti was allowed to travel to Dresden.

Time in Dresden

Lotti lived in Dresden from 1717 to 1719. He was hired by the king, Friedrich Augustus I, who was the Elector of Saxony. The king wanted Lotti to compose music for an Italian opera group he had put together.

The king made sure that Lotti and the Italian musicians were kept separate from the local musicians. He wanted to protect them from any problems. The king even said he would give them "every possible protection."

While in Dresden, Lotti wrote several operas. These included Giove in Argo, Teofane, and Li quattro elementi. He also composed other operas while in Venice. Some of these were Giustino, Achille Placato, and Alessandro Severo.

Return to Venice

After his time in Dresden, Lotti returned to his job at St Mark's Basilica in Venice. He continued to work there until his death in 1740.

Antonio Lotti's Music

Part from the Missa Brevis by Antonio Lotti

Lotti wrote many different types of music. He composed masses (music for church services), cantatas (pieces for singers and instruments), and madrigals (vocal pieces). He also wrote about thirty operas and music for instruments.

Some of his church music was a cappella, meaning it was sung without instruments. But many of his pieces used the concertato style. This means they included strings, a basso continuo (a bass instrument and a keyboard), and sometimes oboes and trumpets.

Lotti's music showed a mix of styles. His more modern works hinted at the "gallant style." This style was a bridge between the older Baroque music and the newer Classical music.

Famous composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Jan Dismas Zelenka all owned copies of Lotti's Missa Sapientiae. This was a special type of mass called a Kyrie–Gloria Mass.

Some pieces that were once thought to be by Lotti are now known to be by other composers. For example, the Magnificat in C major, BWV Anh. 30 was once thought to be his. But now it seems it was composed by Pietro Torri. Also, a Kyrie–Gloria Mass for double choir, BWV Anh. 167, was once linked to Lotti. However, experts now believe other composers wrote it.

See also

In Spanish: Antonio Lotti para niños