Francesco Mancini
1672 - 1737Click here for editions available on this site
Mancini belongs to a generation of Neapoitan composers including Fago and Sarro who established themselves during Alessandro Scarlatti's absence from the city between 1702 and 1708. An important teacher, he was Director of the Conservatorio di S Maria di Loreto and maestro di capella of the royal chapel (once again in Scarlatti's absence).
Upon Scarlatti's return and until his death in 1725 Mancini worked as deputy to Scarlatti, only resuming his previous positions on the older composer's death.
He wrote 29 operas, his operatic style combining contrapuntal elements of the past with the new 'buffa' style, 7 serenatas, 12 oratorios, more than 200 hundred secular cantatas in addition to assorted sacred music and a small amount of instrumental music.