Pasquale Cafaro

Full biography Pasquale Cafaro

Pasquale Cafaro was an Italian composer who was born in Molfetta in 1715 and died in Naples in 1787. His musical career spanned over four decades during which time he composed a vast amount of operas, oratorios, and sacred music.

Cafaro’s music style was heavily influenced by the works of his predecessor, Alessandro Scarlatti, and his contemporary, Leonardo Leo. However, he is also known for incorporating elements of Neapolitan folk music into his compositions, giving them a distinct local flavor.

Some of Cafaro’s most renowned works include the operas Il trionfo della constanza (The Triumph of Constancy) and Il gran Cid (The Great Cid), as well as the oratorios La passione di Gesù Cristo and L’addolorata madre.

During his career, Cafaro held various positions including being a music teacher, choir master, and composer for the Royal Court of Naples. His skillful compositions were well-received by his contemporaries, including noted composers such as Johann Adolf Hasse, who praised Cafaro for his remarkable contributions to the music scene in Naples.

Today, Cafaro’s music continues to be studied and performed by musicians all around the world. His work is revered for its unique and sophisticated style, which blends traditional Baroque and Neapolitan music with modern techniques.