Agostino Steffani Italian composer, organist, conductor Date of Birth: 25.07.1654 Country: Italy

Biography of Agostino Steffani

Agostino Steffani was an Italian composer, organist, and conductor. He was born in Castelfranco Veneto and at a young age, he secured a position in the choir of the San Marco Cathedral in Venice. In 1667, his remarkable voice caught the attention of Count Georg Ignaz von Tattenbach, who brought Steffani to Munich for further training sponsored by Elector of Bavaria, Ferdinand Maria. Steffani eventually became a court musician to the Elector, a prestigious position that came with a respectable salary.

At the advice of Johann Kaspar Kerll, Steffani journeyed to Rome to study with his mentor, Ercole Bernabei. During his time in Rome, Steffani composed six motets, the original manuscripts of which are now housed in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. In 1674, he returned to Munich and published his first work, 'Psalmodia vespertina', some of which was later reissued in Giovanni Battista Martini's 'Saggio di contrappunto'. In 1675, Steffani became the court organist in Munich.

Despite becoming an abbot in Lepsing, it did not deter Steffani from pursuing his interest in theater, which had a strong influence on his music. His first opera, 'Marco Aurelio', was written specifically for carnival and premiered in Munich in 1681. The only surviving copy of this opera is currently held in the library of Buckingham Palace. Steffani went on to compose operas such as 'Solone' in 1685, and 'Audacia e rispetto', 'Prerogative d'amore', 'Servio Tullio', and 'Alarico' in the following years. In 1688, he composed 'Niobe, regina di Tebe'.

Although Maximilian Emanuel, the new Elector of Bavaria, generally supported Steffani's endeavors, Steffani decided to move to Hanover in 1688 to accept the position of court Kapellmeister. During his time in Hanover, Steffani developed valuable connections, befriending Ernest Augustus, the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg and future Elector of Hanover, and his daughter Sophia Charlotte, who would become the Queen of Prussia. He also interacted with Gottfried Leibniz, Abbate Ortensio Mauro, and other highly educated and intelligent individuals. In 1710, Steffani provided timely assistance to the still relatively unknown George Handel. Steffani's music was warmly received in Hanover, and he was regularly invited to important events, such as the opening of a new opera house in 1689.

In 1692, Ernest Augustus became the new Elector, and he faced a series of difficult problems that required diplomatic negotiations. Steffani, with his aptitude for negotiation, proved to be an ideal ambassador for the Elector. He successfully handled the tasks assigned to him and was subsequently sent on various missions by the Elector. Steffani passed away on February 12, 1728, while in the midst of another diplomatic mission.