GIOVANNI BATTISTA CASALI. — He was a composer of music, predominantly sacred. Born in Rome in 1715, he was appointed in 1759 maestro di cappella at S. Giovanni in Laterano, a position he held until his death in July 1792. In addition to four theatrical works, he wrote five oratorios: *Abigiulle* (1770), *L'Adorazione dei Magi* (1760), *La Benedizione di Giacobbe* (1762), *La Pazienza ricompensata* (1755), and *Salomone re d'Israele* (1765), as well as many masses (mostly for four concerted voices and organ), offertories, graduals, Magnificats, motets, antiphons, psalms, etc. (some for eight voices in two choirs, but mostly for one voice or twenty). His works are preserved in manuscript form in various libraries across Europe (Vienna, Brussels, Dresden, Munich, Berlin, Lübeck) and Italy (Bologna, Rome): Biblioteca Vaticana (Giulia Chapel collection). Modern editions include a *Christum regem* for three voices and organ and a *Benedictus* for four voices and organ, published in the Schott catalogue.
BIBL.:
Cervelli, Luisa.