Stradella, ALESSANDRO

Stradella, ALESSANDRO, a singer and musical composer, famous both in respect of his music and of his own tragical history. His works, which consist of airs, duets, cantatas, madrigals, sonatas, and the oratorio San Giovanni Battista (his most important production), contributed to form the taste of such composers as Purcell and Scarlatti. The dates of his life are altogether uncertain; it can only be affirmed that he lived during the second half of the 17th century. But the facts or events of his life are better ascertained. Stradella, who was renowned for his exquisite voice and polished manner, was engaged by a wealthy Venetian to instruct his mistress in singing. But master and pupil became infatuated with one another and fled to Rome. They were traced thither by two bravos despatched by the Venetian; but both assassins, it is said, were so captivated with the music of Stradella's oratorio, which they heard him conducting whilst lying in wait for him, that they abandoned their object, after betraying to him the plot. Stradella and the lady then fled to Turin. They were found there, and he was attacked and grievously wounded. He recovered and married the lady, and then passed to Genoa (1678). The day after both he and his wife were mortally stabbed by the emissaries of their unrelenting persecutor.