Antonio Caldara
- Born:
- c. 1670, Venice, Republic of Venice
- Died:
- December 28, 1736, Vienna, Austrian Habsburg Monarchy
- Nationality:
- Venetian
- Profession(s):
- Composer
Early Life and Education
- Likely received early musical training within his family.
- Studied with Giovanni Legrenzi.
- Became proficient as a singer and instrumentalist (cello and keyboard).
Career and Major Achievements
- 1699: Appointed maestro di cappella to Ferdinando Carlo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua.
- 1707: Moved to Rome, serving as maestro di cappella for Filippo, Prince Ruspoli.
- 1716: Appointed Vice-Kapellmeister to the imperial court of Vienna under Johann Joseph Fux.
- 1716-1736: Remained in Vienna, composing extensively for the Habsburg court, becoming one of the most important composers in the city.
- Known for his prolific output of operas, oratorios, and other vocal works.
Notable Works
- Operas:
- La costanza in amor vince l'inganno (1696)
- Il più bel nome (1708)
- Demetrio (1731)
- Oratorios:
- Morte e sepoltura di Cristo (1724)
- La Passione di Gesù Cristo Signor Nostro (1730)
- Numerous Masses, motets, and other sacred works.
- Instrumental works, including trio sonatas and concertos.
Legacy and Impact
Antonio Caldara was a highly respected and prolific composer of the late Baroque era. His extensive output of operas and oratorios significantly influenced the development of these genres, and his works were widely performed and admired during his lifetime. While his music fell into relative obscurity after his death, it has experienced a resurgence in interest and performance in recent decades. Any comprehensive account of Baroque music must mention Antonio Caldara biography, as his career reflects the important transitions and styles of Italian and Viennese musical life in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.