Giovanni Battista Bassani facts for kids
Giovanni Battista Bassani (born around 1650 – died October 1, 1716) was an Italian composer, a talented violin player, and an organ player. He was known for his beautiful music during the Baroque period.
About His Life
Bassani was born in a city called Padua in Italy. People believe he learned music in Venice from a teacher named Daniele Castrovillari. He might also have studied in Ferrara with Giovanni Legrenzi. Some historians, like Charles Burney and John Hawkins, thought he even taught the famous composer Arcangelo Corelli, but we don't have strong proof of this.
Bassani started working as an organist at a place called the Accademia della Morte in Ferrara in 1667. He published his first music in 1677. At that time, he was called the "maestro of music" (which means music director) at the Confraternità della Morte in Finale Emilia.
He became a maestro di cappella (music director for a court or church) for Duke Alessandro II della Mirandola in 1680. He was also chosen as the "principe" (a leader) at the Accademica Filarmonica in Bologna, a famous music academy.
In 1683, he returned to Ferrara as maestro di cappella at the Accademia della Morte. Then, in 1686, he became the music director at Ferrara Cathedral. Because of his important work in Ferrara's music scene, people often called him "Bassani of Ferrara." Between 1710 and 1712, he wrote 76 special services for the church to be used at Ferrara Cathedral.
Later, in 1712, Bassani moved to Bergamo and became the music director at Santa Maria Maggiore, a big church. He also taught music there until he passed away.
Bassani was a very famous violinist in his time. His fame grew even more when the historian Charles Burney praised him. Today, his trio sonatas (pieces for three instruments) are his most well-known and often played works. He wrote 13 oratorios (large musical stories, usually religious), but only four of them still exist. Sadly, all 13 of his operas (musical plays) have been lost, except for a few songs (called arias) from one opera called Gli amori alla moda.
His Music
Giovanni Battista Bassani wrote many different kinds of music.
Operas
Bassani composed 13 operas, which are like plays set to music. Most of these have been lost over time, but we know their names. One opera, Gli amori alla moda, still has 10 songs (arias) that we can hear today.
- L'amorosa preda di Paride (1683)
- Falarido, tiranno d'Agrigento (1685)
- L'Alarico, re de'Goti (1685)
- Gli amori alla moda (1688)
Oratorios
He also wrote 13 oratorios, which are large musical works often based on religious stories, performed without costumes or staging. Only four of these have survived.
- L'Esaltazione di S Croce (1675)
- L'Epulone (1675)
- La tromba della divina misericordia (1676)
- Il Giona (1689)
Other Vocal Works
Bassani wrote many other pieces for singers:
- 8 masses (religious services set to music)
- At least 20 motets (short choral pieces, usually sacred)
- Many other sacred songs for solo singers and choirs
- 76 services, most of which were for four solo voices, a choir, and basso continuo (a type of musical accompaniment).
Instrumental Music
He also composed music just for instruments:
- 16 trio sonatas (pieces for three instruments, usually two melody instruments and a basso continuo)
- 12 sinfonie da chiesa, op. 5 (1683) (These were instrumental pieces often played in churches).
See also
In Spanish: Giovanni Battista Bassani para niños
