Francesco Manfredini

Francesco Onofrio Manfredini (June 22, 1684 – October 6, 1762) was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist, and church musician.

He was born at Pistoia to a trombonist. He studied violin with Giuseppe Torelli in Bologna, then a part of the Papal States, a leading figure in the development of the "concerto grosso". He also took instruction in composition from Giacomo Antonio Perti, "maestro di capella" of the Basilica of San Petronio from 1696 when the orchestra was temporarily disbanded.

Although he composed oratorios, only his secular works remain in the repertoire. [Naxos web page for Manfredini [http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Francesco_Onofrio_Manfredini/22626.htm] ] A contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi; his extant work shows the influence of the latter. ["Concerto Grossi, Op. 3", Liner notes written by Keith Anderson, obverse side of CD case, published by Naxos, catalog number: 8.553891]

He became a violinist, circa 1700, in the orchestra of the Church of San Spirito in Ferrara. In 1704, however, he returned to Bologna, employed again in the re-formed orchestra of San Petronio. He became a member of the Accademia Filarmonica in the same year he published his first compositions, a set of twelve chamber sonati he named "Concertini per camera, Op. 1". In 1709, he also published "Sinfonie da chiesa, Op. 2", ostensibly chamber pieces, they, in fact, complemented the earlier chamber sonati. ["Concerto Grossi, Op. 3", audio CD's Liner notes written by Keith Anderson, published by Naxos, catalog number: 8.553891]

After 1711, Manfredini spent an extended stay in Monaco, apparently in the service of Prince Antoine I. The prince had been a pupil of Louis XIV's favorite composer Jean Baptiste Lully, whose conductor's baton he had inherited. The precise nature of his relationship to the court of Monaco, and the length of his stay, are not known. Manfredini is first mentioned in court records in 1712. In 1718 he would publish, in Bologna, his Concerto Grossi for two violins and basso continuo, Op. 3, Nos. 1-12 which is dedicated to that ruler. Also copies of his "Sinfonie, Op. 2" were found in the princely library. One indication of the nature of the relationship is that Prince Antoine stood as godfather to Manfredini's son Antonio Francesco; four other children were born to him during his stay in the principality. ["Concerto Grossi, Op. 3", audio CD's Liner notes written by Keith Anderson, published by Naxos, catalog number: 8.553891]

Given even this slim evidence, it can be inferred that both parties were satisfied by the arrangement since the composer does not reappear in the historical records until the year 1727, when had returned to Pistoia as maestro di capella at St. Phillip's Cathedral, a post he would hold until his death in 1762. [Naxos web page for Manfredini [http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Francesco_Onofrio_Manfredini/22626.htm] ]

Much of his music is presumed to have been destroyed after his death; only 43 published works and a handful of manuscripts are known. To quote his Naxos biography, "His groups of Concerti Grossi and Sinfonias show a highly accomplished composer, well versed in the mainstream Italian school of composition." [Naxos web page for Manfredini [http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Francesco_Onofrio_Manfredini/22626.htm] ]

The Naxos label has released a 1991 recording of the Opus 3 (catalog number: 8.553891) [Naxos web page for recording of "Concerto Grossi, Op. 3, Nos. 1-12" catalog number: 8.553891 [http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.553891] ] , recorded by the Slovakian Capella Istropolitana, conducted by Jaroslav Krček. The liner notes further suggest that his name "may have...disappeared had he not composed a "Christmas Concerto" (No. 12 of Op. 3).... [T] hese "concerti grossi"...demonstrate a gift for easy melodic invention."

Two of his sons, Vincenzo and Giuseppe, had careers of some note. The former was appointed maestro di capella of the Italian opera in St. Petersburg. Giuseppe became a castrato singer. ["Concerto Grossi, Op. 3", audio CD's Liner notes written by Keith Anderson, published by Naxos, catalog number: 8.553891]

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