Leonardo Vinci

Leonardo Vinci (1690 - 27 May 1730) was an Italian musical composer, best known for his operas.

He was born at Strongoli (or Naples) and educated at Naples under Gaetano Greco in the Conservatorio dei Poveri di Gesù Cristo. He first became known for his opera buffa in Neapolitan dialect in 1719; he also composed many opera seria. He was received into the Congregation of the Rosary at Formiello in 1728. He died in May of 1730. Vinci is rumoured to have been poisoned in the wake of a ill-advised affair.

Vinci's opera buffa, of which Li zite 'ngalera (1722) is generally regarded as the best, are full of life and spirit; his opera seria, of which Didone Abbandonata (Rome, 1728) and Artaserse (Rome, 1730) are the most notable, have an incisive vigour and directness of dramatic expression praised by Charles Burney. The well-known aria "Vo solcando," from Artaserse, is a good example of his style.

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