Alessandro Scarlatti

Musical plenitude was norm to the Scarlatti family. Alessandro wrote 115 operas amongst a welter of other music, only to be upstaged by his son Domenico Scarlatti's 550 keyboard sonatas, also amongst an outpouring of other music. Alessandro was born in Palermo on 2 May 1660, died in Naples on 22 October 1725 and is honoured with stylistic development in operatic writing, and generally with the excellence of his invention and craft.

A selection of articles about Alessandro Scarlatti

Spotlight. Uncanny Precision - Gerald Fenech recommends Frieder Bernius' recording of 'L'Olimpiade' by Hasse. 'Frieder Bernius has a convincing way with Hasse.'

CD Spotlight. A Young Saxon's Occasional Opera - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to 'Enea in Caonia' by Hasse. 'Stefano Montanari conducts ... skilfully, mostly in support of the voices.'

Profile. Francesco Azopardi - A snippet of a Maltese classical composer, introduced by Simon Farrugia

Ensemble. Baroque Oratorios in Rome - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to selections of music by Alessandro Scarlatti, Bernado Pasquini and George Frideric Handel

Ensemble. Intensely Expressive - Italian baroque choral music, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Darkness to Light - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Ravenna Festival

CD Spotlight. Fine-honed Skill - Alessandro Scarlatti's 'Davidis pugna et victoria', heard by Robert Anderson

CD Spotlight. Diversely Experienced - Music for bassoon, harpsichord and double bass, impresses Howard Smith. '... an outright "tour de force".'