Baroque music

Italian Baroque composer celebrated for sacred music, operas, and oratorios.Prolific composer active in Venice, Rome, and Vienna; served as Vice-Kapellmeister at the Habsburg imperial court for over 20 years....

Spanish Baroque composer, guitarist, and priest renowned for his seminal contributions to Spanish guitar music.Born in Calanda, Aragon, Sanz studied theology at the University of Salamanca before pursuing music in Italy. He served as guitarist to the Viceroy of Naples and later at the Spanish royal court. His three-volume method book 'Instrucción de música sobre la guitarra española' (1674–1697) revolutionized Baroque guitar technique and repertoire....

Dietrich Buxtehude was a highly influential Danish-German composer and organist of the Baroque period, renowned for his sacred vocal works and virtuosic organ compositions. He served as organist at St. Mary's Church in Lübeck for nearly 40 years.Born around 1637 in Helsingborg (then Denmark, now Sweden), Buxtehude succeeded Franz Tunder as organist at St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) in Lübeck in 1668. He held this prestigious position until his death in Lübeck on May 9, 1707....

French Baroque composer, organist, and harpsichordist known as 'Couperin le Grand'Renowned member of the Couperin musical dynasty; organist at Saint-Gervais Church for 40+ years; appointed to Louis XIV's court; pioneered French Baroque keyboard suites with programmatic titles....

Giovanni Legrenzi was an influential Italian Baroque composer, organist, and teacher of the Venetian school.Born near Bergamo around 1626, Legrenzi became a prominent figure in Venetian music. He served as maestro di cappella at the Accademia dello Spirito Santo in Ferrara (1656-1665), Bergamo's Santa Maria Maggiore (1665-1670), and finally at the prestigious St. Mark's Basilica in Venice (1685-1690), the pinnacle of his career. He composed numerous operas, oratorios, sonatas, and sacred work...

Italian composer, singer, and influential figure in early Roman Baroque music.Stefano Landi was an Italian composer and singer active in Rome during the early Baroque period. He served in various prestigious positions, including at the Collegio Germanico and as a singer in the papal choir (Cappella Giulia) at St. Peter's Basilica. Landi is best known for his sacred music (masses, motets) and secular works, particularly his 1632 opera 'Il Sant'Alessio' (Saint Alexius), considered one of the ea...

Thomas Augustine Arne was a prominent English composer of the 18th century, best known for his patriotic song "Rule, Britannia!" and his significant contributions to English theatre music, including operas, masques, and incidental music for plays.Born in London, Arne pursued music despite family objections. He achieved early success with his setting of "Rule, Britannia!" (1740) and the masque "Alfred".Arne became the leading native composer for the London stage, rivalling Handel in popularity...

Henry Purcell was an English Baroque composer, organist, and singer, widely regarded as one of the greatest English composers of all time.Born into a musical family in London around 1659, Purcell became a chorister in the Chapel Royal at age 10. He served as organist at Westminster Abbey from 1679 until his death and held positions at the Chapel Royal and court of three monarchs. His output includes sacred music, secular songs, instrumental works, and pioneering English operas like 'Dido and ...

François Rousset is a renowned French harpsichordist and conductor, celebrated for his profound interpretations of Baroque music, particularly French repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries.François Rousset studied at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP) under eminent teachers like Huguette Dreyfus and Kenneth Gilbert. He quickly established himself as a leading harpsichordist, winning prizes at international competitions. In 1991, he founded the period-instrument ensemble Les Talens Lyriques...

Italian-born French composer, instrumentalist, and dancer who dominated French court music during the reign of Louis XIV and is considered the chief master of the French Baroque style.Born in Florence, Italy, Lully moved to France in 1646. He rose from a kitchen boy to become the Surintendant de la Musique de la Chambre du Roi (Superintendent of the King's Music). A favorite of Louis XIV, he secured an absolute monopoly over French opera production....