CASALI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA. - He was a composer chiefly of sacred music. Born in Rome in 1715, he was appointed maestro di cappella at S. Giovanni in Laterano there in 1759, a post he held until his death in July 1792. Besides 4 theatrical works, he wrote 5 oratorios: Abigaille (1770), L'Adorazione dei Magi (1760), La Benedizione di Giacobbe (1762), La Pazienza ricompensata (1755), and Salomone re d'Israele (1765); many masses (mostly for 4 concerted voices and organ), offertories, graduals, magnificats, motets, antiphons, psalms, etc. (also for 8 voices in 2 choirs, but mostly for 2 or one voice): his works survive in manuscript in various libraries in Europe (Vienna, Brussels, Dresden, Munich, Berlin, Lübeck) and in Italy (Bologna, Rome): Vatican Library (Cappella Giulia collection). Among modern editions, mention should be made of a Christum regem for 3 voices and organ and a Benedictus for 4 voices and organ, published in the Schott repertory.
CASALI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA
Cite this article
“CASALI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. III (1949), p. 567. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/casali-giovanni-battista.