GUGLIELMI, PIETRO ALESSANDRO. - Composer, b. at Massa on 10 Dec. 1728, d. at Rome on 20 Nov. 1804. Having undertaken his first musical studies with his father, he perfected himself at the Conservatory of S. Maria di Loreto in Naples.
In 1757 he made his debut with a theatrical opera, followed by many others which won him wide fame and were performed with great success in various Italian cities. Having gone abroad, he was chapel master at the court of Dresden, then at Brunswig, and in 1772 in London. In 1777 he returned to Naples, but there encountered strong opposition from Cimarosa and Paisiello. In 1793 Pio VII summoned him to Rome as chapel master at S. Pietro, a post he held until his death. Besides theatrical operas, he wrote many oratorios, psalms, motets, masses, and various symphonic music. G.'s compositions are characterized by simple, natural, and pleasing melody and by pure harmony, especially in ensemble concerted pieces.