Lorenzani, Paolo (1640–1713)

Italian composer. He spent much of his life in France, where, as director of music to Queen Marie-Thérèse, he was influential in popularizing Italian music. After her death in 1683, his influence declined and he returned to Italy in 1694.

He was a pupil of Orazio Benevoli in Rome. In 1675 he went to Sicily and became maestro di cappella at the cathedral of Messina. In 1678 the French viceroy, Marshal de Vivonne, persuaded him to go to Paris, where he was one of the superintendents of the queen's music 1679–83. After her death he became maître de chapelle at the Theatine monastery, where he wrote motets. His opera Orontée was produced at Chantilly in 1688 by order of the Prince de Condé. In 1694 he returned to Rome as maestro di cappella of the Papal chapel.

Works the operas Nicandro e Fileno (1681) and Orontée (1688); motets and Magnificats; cantatas; Italian and French airs.