Bartolomeo Barbarino

Full biography Bartolomeo Barbarino

Bartolomeo Barbarino was an Italian composer of the Baroque era. He was born in Naples in 1617 and died in Rome in 1679. He first studied under his uncle, the composer Giovanni Tommaso Cimello, before studying in Rome under Giovanni Francesco Anerio and later with Antonio Cifra.

Barbarino served as a choirboy at the Naples Cathedral and later as a maestro di cappella in a number of churches in Rome. He was also the composer for several noble families, including the Barberini family.

Barbarino's music is primarily vocal, with a particular focus on sacred music. His works include masses, motets, and oratorios, many of which were commissioned for the Barberini family. He is also known for his secular songs, which were popular in his time.

Barbarino's style is characterized by its expressive melody, rich harmonic language, and use of chromaticism. His music is considered to be highly emotional, with a strong emphasis on the text setting and conveying the meaning of the words.

Despite his significant contributions to Baroque music, Barbarino's music remains relatively unknown today, with many of his works still awaiting modern editions. Nevertheless, his works are highly regarded by scholars and aficionados of Baroque music.

In conclusion, Bartolomeo Barbarino was a prominent Italian composer of the Baroque era, whose music focused primarily on sacred and secular vocal music. His expressive melody and rich harmonic language set him apart as a unique voice in Baroque music history.