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Alessandro Scarlatti (Alessandro Scarlatti)
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660–1725) was an Italian composer who was primarily active in the fields of opera and cantata. He is regarded as one of the leading figures of Baroque music and is considered the founder of the Neapolitan school. His works greatly contributed to the development of Italian musical forms and styles.
Scarlatti was born in Palermo and received his musical education in Rome. He demonstrated his talent from a young age and debuted as an opera composer in Rome in 1684. Later, he served as the maestro di cappella at the royal court of Naples, where he established the Neapolitan school. His influence turned Naples into the center of Italian opera.
His operas are known for their melodic beauty, dramatic expressiveness, and the establishment of the da capo aria form. This form, characterized by the repetition of the opening and closing sections of an aria, had a significant influence on later opera composers. Notable works include *Griselda* and *Pirro e Teseo*.
Additionally, Scarlatti composed numerous works in both sacred and secular music. His approximately 600 cantatas are especially highly regarded for their rich expressiveness and diverse structures. He also composed many sacred works, such as masses and oratorios, where sophisticated counterpoint and brilliant melodies are beautifully combined.
Scarlatti was also an influential music educator and trained many pupils. His music had a profound impact on later composers and played a vital role in the development of Baroque music.
Alessandro Scarlatti significantly expanded the framework of Baroque music, leaving a lasting influence particularly in the fields of opera and cantata. His works continue to be studied and performed today, making him an indispensable figure in the history of Italian music.
[Domenico Scarlatti was the son of Alessandro Scarlatti.]