Gabrielli, Domenico

views updated

Gabrielli, Domenico

Gabrielli, Domenico, renowned Italian cellist and composer, called the “Menghino dal violoncello” (“Mignan dal viulunzaal” in Bolognese dialect), the first part of his nickname being the diminutive of Domenico;b. Bologna, April 15, 1651; d. there, July 10, 1690. He studied composition with Legrenzi in Venice and cello with Petronio Franceschini in Bologna. He was elected a member of the Accademia Filarmonica in Bologna in 1676, and became its president in 1683. He became cellist at S. Petronio in Bologna in 1676. His fame as a virtuoso led him to travel often, a circumstance that resulted in his dismissal in 1687; however, he was restored to his post in 1688. He was one of the first great masters of the cello, both as a performer and as a composer for the instrument, and also a distinguished composer of vocal music, both sacred and secular.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

About this article

Gabrielli, Domenico

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article