Agostino Steffani

Agostino Steffani (born the July 25th 1654 with Castelfranco Veneto; died the February 12th 1728 with Francfort-sur-le-Main) was a Compositeur, Diplomate and auxiliary bishop Italy N.

Biography

Munich

Steffani passed its childhood to Padoue, where it was with the college. It was allowed as chosist with the Basilique Saint-Marc with Venice. There met there a princely couple Bavarian (the Count Tattenbach) which he accompanied in 1667 with Munich to remain finally 21 years with their service. It is there that he learned how to play of the Orgue with Johann Caspar Kerll. In 1672 Steffani left to Rome to look further into its musical education with Ercole Bernabei during two years. Parralèlement it undertook theological studies. It is in 1674 that it published its first works the Psalmodia vespertina . It composed then of vocal works; Steffani made study trips in France and Italy of the North, which also perhaps vaient for goal the achievement of diplomatic missions. With Paris, it occurred in front of Louis XIV with the Clavecin.

The entry function of Maximilien-Emmanuel of Bavaria in 1680 is also revolving in the life of Steffani which, the same year, at the conclusion of its studies of theology, is ordered priest. Steffani is mission leader diplomatic which often is in bond with projects of princely marriages. In 1681 its first opera Marco Aurelio is given, in which one can recognize the influence of Lully. Only the exemplary known manuscript of the partition is preserved at the royal library of Buckingham Palace.

Hanover and Düsseldorf

Steffani in May 1688 is honourably congédié by the prince. After a course stay in Italy, it becomes at the end of June Kapellmeister for the opera at the court of the duke Ernest-Auguste, prince voter of Hanover. It composes then until in 1696 an almost opera per annum.

This series started with the composition, at the time of the inauguration of the new opera of Hanover in 1689 of Enrico it Leone which was given in a great ostentation and a great success was worth to him. It also composed Lolta d' Ercole idiot Achilleo in 1689, Superbia d' Alessandro in 1690, Orlando generoso in 1691, Rivali concordi in 1692, Liberia satisfied in 1693, I Trionfi del Job and I Baccanali in 1695 and Briseide in 1696.

The booklet of Briseide is of Palmieri. The majority of the others are of Abbate Mauro. The partitions are preserved at Buckingham Palace, where, with five volumes from song and five of duets, they constitute part of the collection brought in England by the Voter of Hanover in 1714.

In 1696 he moves with Brussels, where he is in contact with the operas of Lully. In 1702 Steffani reduces its diplomatic activities and concentrates more on its musical creation.

The same year it is destined for Düsseldorf by the prince voter Jean-Guillaume de Neubourg-Wittelsbach and is named president of the spiritual council then quickly recognized like advising. One year later, he becomes secret adviser and carries out political negociations in several cities. During a time it is Rector magnificus and curator with the Université of Heidelberg to be finally named, Évêque in September 1706 of Spiga partibus infidelium.

Last years

In 1708, Steffani is sent to Rome like intermediary in the disagreement between the emperor and the pope. The following year it is named apostolic vicar for the High one and low Saxony. It is with the project to regain with the Catholic church some German princely families that it returns to Germany. After the death of some of its noble benefactors, Steffani knows financial problems. He dies into 1728 of an attack of apoplexy with Frankfurt-on the Hand, whereas he sought to sell some of his brought back compositions of Italy.

Musical creation

Steffani integrated elements of the French music and also allemande in the Italian music. In addition to operas, Steffani published above all the duets, which remained very popular until the 18th century. In as well as témignent the great number of copies of its work the eulogistic mentions on behalf of musicians and poets.

Random links: