Stefano Landi

Full biography Stefano Landi

Stefano Landi (1587-1639) was an Italian composer and teacher , known for his prominent role in the early Baroque era of music. He was regarded as one of the leading Italian composers of his day and the first to write an opera based on a historical subject , 'Sant'Alessio' in 1632. Landi's operas were highly influential in the development of the genre, and his works were popular throughout Europe during his lifetime.

Aside from his operas, Landi also wrote a large amount of other vocal music, including settings of the Mass and of hymns. He was particularly known for his pastoral tragicomedy 'La Morte d'Orfeo', which dealt with the popular operatic subject of Orpheus. Landi's idiom was that of the operatic madrigal, with recitative blending into aria and ritornello, and he employed all resources available to him to create highly emotional and expressive works of music.

Landi was born in Rome in 1587 and was baptized on February 26th of that year. He studied music with Virgilio Mazzocchi and then worked as a musician in various positions, including as a singer and organist at the Roman Oratory. In 1619, he was appointed maestro di cappella at the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, a position he held for several decades.

In addition to his work as a composer and musician, Landi was also a teacher, and among his pupils were prominent composers such as Luigi Rossi and Carissimi. He died in Rome on October 28th, 1639, having made a significant contribution to the development of Baroque opera and music more broadly. Today, Landi's works continue to be performed and recorded, ensuring that his legacy as a composer lives on for future generations to enjoy.