Francesco Scarlatti

Francesco Scarlatti (5 December 1666 - c. 1741) was an Italian Baroque composer and musician and brother of the better known Alessandro Scarlatti.

Francesco was ever to live under the shadow of his better known relatives, Alessandro Scarlatti (his elder brother) and his nephew, Domenico. However, Francesco himself was an accomplished musician and held a number of appointments.

He was born on 5 December of 1666 at Palermo, Sicily. Due to the island being under the control of the Kingdom of Naples, Francesco went up to study at the well-known Conservatorio in the city. His first appointment, following his studies, was as a violinist at the Chapel Royal in Naples. His appointment was controversial: a number of Neapolitan musicians resented the young provincials' influence at court.

In 1690, he married Rosalinda Albano. She died in 1706 after giving Scarlatti five children.

Francesco later travelled around Europe. He visited London in 1719; some sources suggest that this was on the invitation of his friend Handel, whom he had met some years before in Italy. Hardly anything is known of his time in London. It is thought that he probably worked in theatre orchestras. Scarlatti was recommended to the Duke of Chandos, James Brydges, by John Arbuthnot. But Francesco did not accept a position, even though Handel worked for the Duke.

By 1724 Francesco Scarlatti was living in Dublin. His post was reported as 'Master of Musick'. Perhaps whilst in Ireland he re-married. The Dublin Journal of 1733 reports: 'Jane Scarlatti, wife of Francis Scarlatti, Master of Musick, hath eloped from her said husband. This is to desire that nobody may give any credit to the said Jane Scarlatti on account of her said husband; for he will not pay any debts that she shall contract; nor answer any bills she may draw on him.'

The last record of Francesco Scarlatti is in 1741, when he was apparently unavailable for a concert due to ill-health. No more is heard of him after this date. He died in London on April 1, 1777.

Works

Most of his major works' original manuscripts are now at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Francesco himself has autograph dated some of them:

*Psalm 51.
*Psalm 110 "(Dixit dominus)", a large scale work for sixteen singers and orchestra. Dated 1702. A Recording of it is available performed by Concerto Gallese.
*Psalm 122 "(Laetatus sum)".
*Messa "(Kyrie and Gloria only.)" Dated 1703.