Giovanni Legrenzi

Legrenzi was a dominant figure in the development of late Baroque music. His influence can be ascertained from the works of Bach, Torelli, Vivaldi, Scarlatti and Handel. The latter composers were especially influenced by his operas, six of which completely survive. Legrenzi's arias developed in import to the operatic work as whole and took shape in many different forms through his compositions. The fugues and ensemble sonatas for strings and continuo were particularly noted for their progressive orientation. Legrenzi served a number of positions including the organist post at S Maria Maggiore, Bergamo, master of the chapel at the Accademia dello Santo Spirito at Ferrara, and a master of the chorus at the Conservatorio dei Mendicanti. Genres of his compositions included operas, oratorios, cantatas, masses, psalms, canzonettes, cantatas, and sonatas. As Legrenzi's career progressed his compositions remained much in the same style no matter what genre he composed in; the works themselves displayed an increase in elegance through time. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi