Benedetto Marcello

Like his brother Alessandro, Benedetto learned the violin from his father and also studied singing and counterpoint with Gasparini. Though he wanted to pursue music his father would not allow this distraction. Accordingly, Benedetto was sent to the country to pursue his studies in law. Following this he spent many years in public service holding various positions. In his twenty first year, however, he was able to join the Arcadian Academy of Rome under a pseudonym. His first operatic libretto was set in 1707 but the first publication came out in 1708. It was a set of twelve co...