Pergolese.

Pergolese. GIOVANNI BATTISTA, Italian musician, was born at Jesi, near Ancona, on 3d January 1710, studied music at Naples, and struck out an original style for himself. His first great work was the oratorio of San Guglielmo, composed in 1731, in which year appeared his bright and tuneful operetta of La Sèrva Padrona. This is his masterpiece; it was revived in London in 1873. In 1734 he was appointed maestro di capella of the Church of Loreto. In consequence of delicate health he removed to Pozzuoli, where he composed the cantata of Orfeo and his second masterpiece, the pathetic Stabat Mater, but died immediately afterwards on 16th March 1736. Besides the works quoted, Pergolese composed numerous operas, oratorios, and other sacred pieces.