Antonio Cesti, a multifaceted figure of Italian Baroque music, was born in Arezzo in 1623, the ninth son of a modest family.
Composer Biography
Antonio Cesti died in Florence in 1669, possibly from poisoning, while still under the protection of the Medici family.
Composer Biography
Cesti's career was significantly aided by the protection of Prince Mattias de' Medici, which led to his first assignment outside Italy at the Innsbruck court.
Composer Biography
In 1659, Archduke Ferdinand Charles of Tyrol supported Cesti's request to leave the Franciscan order for the easier status of a secular priest, granting him more freedom for his opera work.
Recording & Production
The cantatas L'amante gigante and Venti, turbini, procelle by Antonio Cesti are presented here as first modern recordings.
Performer Biography
The ROMABAROCCA ENSEMBLE (RBE), founded in 1994 by Lorenzo Tozzi, aims to rediscover vast Italian music repertoire with a philological intent.
Composer Biography
Cesti, a Franciscan friar, caused scandal in 1650 by performing as a singer in Cavalli's Giasone, leading his superiors to investigate his 'dishonest life'.
