Baldassare Galuppi

Venetian Baroque Composer

Baldassare Galuppi (1706–1785) was a Venetian composer, well-known for his contributions to the development of the opera buffa (comic opera) genre during the 18th century. He was a prolific composer, with a career that spanned several decades and included a wide range of musical forms such as operas, sacred music, chamber music, and keyboard works. Galuppi held prestigious positions throughout his life, including maestro di cappella at St Mark's Basilica in Venice. His style bridged the Baroque and Classical periods, and he was admired for his melodic inventiveness and his ability to blend drama with musical expression. While he was most famous during his lifetime for his operas, Galuppi's keyboard sonatas also gained recognition for their elegance and clarity. His influence extended beyond Italy, as his works were performed across Europe, and he even spent time in London and St. Petersburg. After his death, Galuppi's music fell into relative obscurity but has since been rediscovered and appreciated by modern audiences and performers.