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Italian Baroque composer renowned for his revolutionary keyboard sonatasBorn in Naples to composer Alessandro Scarlatti, Domenico became a harpsichord virtuoso. After early work in Italy, he served Portuguese and Spanish royal courts, composing over 550 single-movement sonatas that pioneered keyboard techniques and Iberian musical influences.

• Engaged in a legendary 1709 keyboard contest with Handel judged inconclusive; both declared equals on harpsichord while Handel prevailed on organ
• Secretly married his 16-year-old pupil María Catalina Gentili in 1728, violating court rules, yet retained royal favor
• Spent last 28 years in Spain under Queen María Bárbara's patronage, where flamenco and folk music inspired his innovative harmonies
• Died in Madrid at 71; contemporary documents suggest heart failure as cause, though some speculate about a fall