CLARI Giovanni (C-61)

Italian musical composer. He gained his initial grounding in musical education from his father, a violinist originally from Rome who was employed in the service of the church of the Cavalieri di S. Stefano in Pisa. Clari was the most celebrated pupil of Colonna, maestro di cappella of S. Petronio, at Bologna. He became maestro di cappella at Pistoia about 1712, at Bologna in 1720, and at Pisa in 1736. The works by which Clari distinguished himself pre-eminently are his vocal duets and trios, with a basso continuo. These compositions, which combine graceful melody with contrapuntal learning, were much admired by Luigi Cherubini. Clari composed one opera, Il Savio delirante, produced at Bologna in 1695, and a large quantity of church music.