Francesco Durante was an Italian composer and teacher from the Baroque period, born in 1684 in Frattamaggiore, near Naples. Known for his sacred music and instrumental compositions, Durante was highly regarded in his time and played a significant role in shaping the Neapolitan school of music. He studied under Alessandro Scarlatti and later became one of the leading music educators in Naples, influencing major composers such as Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Niccolò Jommelli, and Giovanni Paisiello.
While he composed relatively little in the way of operas—unlike many of his contemporaries—Durante made a lasting impact through his church music, including masses, requiems, and oratorios, as well as his concerti and keyboard works. His music stands out for its expressive lyricism and refined counterpoint, and his Requiem in G Minor remains one of his most admired works. His legacy is cemented not just in his compositions, but in the generations of composers he mentored.
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