Antonio Caldara

Antonio Caldara was born in Venice in 1670 and, during his lifetime, worked as a cellist, conductor and composer. Caldara is thought to have received his training in his home town under Giovanni Legrenzi, the Kapellmeister at St Mark’s. Caldara worked as a freelance cellist in Venice (1693–1700), as a Kapellmeister in Mantua (1700–1707) and Rome (1709–1716), and finally as Vice-Kapellmeister at the imperial court in Vienna (1716–1736) under Emperor Charles VI.

His popularity stemmed from his ability to combine a respect for tradition with the greatest possible originality. He composed over 3,400 works, including more than 80 operas, 43 oratorios, around 150 symphonies, masses, serenades, cantatas and motets, madrigals and serenades, as well as over 300 canons.