Diogenio Bigaglia

Full biography Diogenio Bigaglia

Diogenio Bigaglia (1678-1745) was an Italian composer and musician who was active in Venice during the first half of the 18th century. Although he is relatively unknown to many people today, Bigaglia was an accomplished composer during his lifetime and produced numerous works in various genres, including sonatas, cantatas, and sacred vocal music.

Bigaglia was a member of the Benedictine order and it is believed that he spent much of his time at San Giorgio Maggiore, where he likely engaged in private music-making among the monks. However, he also enjoyed recognition beyond these circles, and his works were performed in public settings as well.

One notable collection of works by Bigaglia is his "XII sonate per violino osia Flauto," which are 12 sonatas for violin or recorder , believed to have been written around 1720. Bigaglia's use of the term "flauto" in Italian music during that time period referred to the recorder as the principal instrument rather than the transverse flute.

In addition to his works for the recorder, Bigaglia wrote numerous works for other instruments and vocal ensembles, including cantatas and sacred vocal music. Some of his sacred works were likely written for the Benedictine order as part of their regular music-making practices.

Despite his contributions to the Venetian music scene, Bigaglia's legacy has been largely overshadowed by better-known composers of the time period, such as Antonio Vivaldi and Giuseppe Tartini. However, in recent years there has been renewed interest in Bigaglia's works, and recordings and performances of his music have begun to surface, helping to shed light on his contributions to Italian music of the Baroque era.