Johann Adolph Hasse

Johann Adolph Hasse , 1699-1783, German composer; pupil of Alessandro Scarlatti. Hasse was court composer at Dresden (1731-63). He wrote masses, oratorios and cantatas, sonatas, and concertos but was known chiefly for over 60 operas, written in a thoroughly Italianized style. They include Artaserse (first version, 1730), which was written for his wife, Faustina Bordoni Hasse, 1700-1781, one of the most celebrated singers of the period.

Hasse, Johann (Adolph) (b Bergedorf, 1699; d Venice, 1783). Ger. composer. Sang at Hamburg Opera as ten. 1718–19, then at Brunswick where his opera Antioco was prod. 1721. Went to Naples 1724, writing several popular operas. Married singer Faustina Bordoni in 1730. Dir., Dresden court opera 1731–63, also visiting London and It. Most of his MSS destroyed in siege of Dresden. Moved to Vienna 1763, comp. operas to Metastasio librettos in opposition to Gluck and eventually setting almost all Metastasio's opera texts. Lived in Venice from 1775. Despite nationality, It. by style and inclination. Wrote over 100 operas, also masses, oratorios, sinfonias, etc. Hearing Mozart's Ascanio in Alba in 1771 said: ‘This boy will cause us all to be forgotten’.