Francesco Barsanti
Encyclopedia
Francesco Barsanti was an Italian
flautist
, oboist
and composer
. He was born in the Tuscan city of Lucca
but spent most of his career in London
.
; after having attended a number of concerts in that city he decided to dedicate himself to music.
Several years later Barsanti completed his studies in Padova and ventured to London
, where he intended to be hired by an orchestra. This is where the composer would spend the majority of his life.
Briefly in 1717 and once again in 1718, Barsanti returned to his native city of Lucca to perform at the Santa Croce Holy Festival (an annual event organised by affluent Luccan statesmen, as a means to uphold the city musical notoriety).
In 1735 Barsanti decided to leave London, the city which had provided him with so much prosperity, and marry a woman of the Scottish aristocracy—the society of whom would eventually aid him in the publication of a modest repertoire. At length he returned to London once again, but this time he performed as a violist. He performed for many years in divers London theatres. Impoverished and destitute, Barsanti died suddenly in 1772.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
flautist
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
, oboist
Oboist
An oboist is a musician who plays the oboe or any oboe family instrument, including the cor anglais, oboe d'amore, shawm and oboe musette....
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He was born in the Tuscan city of Lucca
Lucca
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
but spent most of his career in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Biography
In 1708 Barsanti travelled to Padova intending to pursue an education in scienceScience
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
; after having attended a number of concerts in that city he decided to dedicate himself to music.
Several years later Barsanti completed his studies in Padova and ventured to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he intended to be hired by an orchestra. This is where the composer would spend the majority of his life.
Briefly in 1717 and once again in 1718, Barsanti returned to his native city of Lucca to perform at the Santa Croce Holy Festival (an annual event organised by affluent Luccan statesmen, as a means to uphold the city musical notoriety).
In 1735 Barsanti decided to leave London, the city which had provided him with so much prosperity, and marry a woman of the Scottish aristocracy—the society of whom would eventually aid him in the publication of a modest repertoire. At length he returned to London once again, but this time he performed as a violist. He performed for many years in divers London theatres. Impoverished and destitute, Barsanti died suddenly in 1772.
Works
- 6 Sonatas for Recorder and Continuo Op. 1
- 6 Sonatas for Flute and Continuo Op. 2
- 10 Concerto Grosso Op. 3
- 6 Antiphons Op. 5
- "A Collection of Old Scot Tunes"
Recordings
- Sei sonate Op. 2 per flauto traverso, Auser MusiciAuser MusiciAuser Musici is a period instrument ensemble centered in Pisa that specializes in early music repertory from the Tuscan region of Italy.-History, Mission, and Activities:...
, Carlo Ipata, soloist and director, Agorà AG 157.1 (1998) - Concerti Grossi, Op. 3 (nos. 1, 4, 6, 7, 10), Auser musici, Carlo Ipata, director, Tactus Records TC.690201 (2003)
- "Francesco Geminiani - Pietro Castrucci - Francesco Barsanti : Italian Musicians In London", Arts Production (1995/2006)