Ariosti, Attilio

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Ariosti, Attilio (b Bologna, 1666; d ?England, 1729). It. composer, formerly monk who obtained dispensation to devote himself to music. Comp. oratorio La Passione (1693) which contained mad scene. Wrote first operas 1696–7 in Mantua, then worked in Berlin and Vienna. Returned to It. as agent of Austrian Emperor Joseph I. Colleague in London from 1716 of Bononcini and Handel as dir. of opera enterprise (Royal Academy of Music, 1719–27), and composer of 20 operas etc.