Francesco Onofrio Manfredini (1684-1762) was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist, and church musician hailing from Pistoia, Tuscany. A student of Giuseppe Torelli, his musical style was greatly influenced by the Bolognese school of the late Baroque period. Like many of his contemporaries, Manfredini worked in various capacities across Italy, including as a violinist in the court orchestra of Monaco and as a maestro di cappella in his native Pistoia.
Manfredini's compositional output, while not as prolific as some of his peers, is notable for its craftsmanship and the expressive quality of the string writing. His most famous work is the "Concerto Grosso in C Major, Op. 3, No. 12," which is often referred to as the "Christmas Concerto" due to its pastoral third movement evoking the shepherds of the Nativity. This concerto is frequently performed and recorded, especially during the Christmas season, and it is included in collections of Christmas concertos by various Baroque composers. Additionally, his "Sei Sonate per due violini e basso continuo" showcases an intimate chamber style while his "Sinfonie da chiesa" and complete "Concerti Grossi Op. 3" demonstrate his skill in larger forms and the influence of the concerto grosso genre. Manfredini's works have enjoyed a revival of interest in the 20th and 21st centuries as the world of early music exploration has expanded, with recent recordings and performances bringing his music to a new generation of listeners.
Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the artists you love!
Get Started