GEMINIANI, Francesco (Xaviero)
b Lucca, c1680
d Dublin, 17 September 1762, aged eighty-two

He studied first with his father and later with A. Scarlatti and with Corelli, who was the most powerful influence on him. In 1707 he joined the Signoria theatre orchestra in Lucca, and in 1711 became leader of the opera orchestra in Naples. In 1714 he left Italy for London, where he spent most of the rest of his life, moving finally to Ireland. His greatness was as a virtuoso violinist and writer of treatises, though during his lifetime he was overshadowed as a composer by his teacher Corelli and his contemporaries Vivaldi and Handel.

He wrote many solo works for violin, eight concerti grossi, numerous other works, six important treatises on violin and harmony and one on playing guitar or cittra.