Benedetto Vinaccesi

Benedetto Vinaccesi has only recently begun to emerge from the shadows.

Born in Brescia c.1666 into a family of merchants, Vinaccesi learned the organ and possibly other instruments from Pietro Pelli, a former director of music (capo musico) at the city's cathedral. His first published compositions were a highly original collection of chamber sonatas. In 1698 Vinaccesi had the good fortune to be elected maestro di coro at the Ospedaletto (Derelitti) one of Venice's four famous ospedali grandi. To this post he added that of organist at the ducal churh of S. Marco, which he gained in 1704. Until his death in 1719 he held a highly respected place in Venetian musical life.