Alessandro Stradella

about

Alessandro Stradella (April 3, 1639 - February 25, 1682) was an Italian composer of the middle Baroque. He was born in Rome, and was murdered in Genoa. Not much is known about his early life, but he was from an aristocratic family, educated at Bologna, and was already making a name for himself as a composer at the age of 20, being commissioned by Queen Christina of Sweden. In 1667 he moved to Rome where he composed copiously, mostly sacred music, and began to live a dissolute life. With a friend he attempted to embezzle money from the Roman Catholic Church, but was found out: he fled the city, only returning much later when he thought it was safe. Unfortunately his numerous incautious affairs with women began to make him enemies among the powerful men of the city, and he had to leave Rome for good. In 1677 he went to Venice, where he was hired by a powerful nobleman as the music tutor to his mistress. As might be expected, Stradella was shortly involved with her, and had to flee when their liaison was found out; but this time the nobleman hired a gang of thugs to follow him and kill him, which they narrowly failed to do. Stradella went next to Genoa, where he wrote operas and cantatas; unfortunately he was again involved in an affair with a poorly-chosen woman, and this time a hired killer caught up with him at the Piazza Banchi and stabbed him to death. Stradella was an extremely influential composer at the time, though his fame was eclipsed in the next century by Corelli

top songs

albums

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THE ART OF THE BAROQUE TRUMPET, Vol. 3

Stradella: San Giovanni Battista

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World Of Early Music

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Alessandro Stradella: Cantata Per Il Ss. Natale - Cantata Per L'anime Del Purgatorio

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Discover Music Of The Baroque Era

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Christmas With Pavarotti

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The Art of the Baroque Trumpet Vol. 3

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Stradella: Lagrime e sospiri

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Rosso - Italian Baroque Arias

Stradella: Complete String Sinfonias

Stradella: San Giovanni Crisostomo

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Bach, J.S.: Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen / Melani, A.: Qual Mormorio Giocondo / Scarlatti, A.: Su Le Sponde Del Tebro

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