A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pasquini, Bernardo

by Franz Gehring

PASQUINI, Bernardo, one of the most important musicians of the latter half of the 17th century, born Dec. 8, 1637, at Massa Valnievola in Tuscany, died Nov. 22, 1710, according to his monument in the church of S. Lorenzo in Lucina, at Rome, which also states that he was in the service of Battista Prince Borghese. His masters were Vittoria and Antonio Cesti, but the study of Palestrina's works did more for him than any instruction. While still young he came to Rome, and was appointed organist of Sta. Maria Maggiore. Among his numerous pupils were Durante and Gasparini; the Emperor Leopold also sent young musicians to benefit by his instruction. Special mention is made of an opera, produced at the Teatro Capranica in 1679, in honour of Queen Christina of Sweden. Matheson on visiting the opera-house in Rome was much struck at finding Corelli playing the violin, Pasquini the harpsichord, and Gattani the lute, all in the orchestra. Pasquini's music is terse, vigorous, and at the same time graceful; in fact he had much in common with Handel, and exercised a certain amount of influence upon German musicians. The writer of this article possesses a Favola pastorale, or small opera in three parts, called 'La Forza d'amore' (libretto by Apolloni, a gentleman in Prince Chigi's household), the music of which is fine, and elevated in style.

[ F. G. ]