Steffani, Agostino (1654-1728)

Italian diplomat and composer. While he was engaged as music director at Hanover and Düsseldorf, he was sent on various diplomatic missions in Germany, Belgium, and Italy. His most important musical works are about 70 chamber duets - pieces for two singers and continuo; Handel was influenced by them. He also wrote several operas, of which the best known is Tassilone (1709).

Steffani learnt music as a choirboy at Padua and was taken to Munich, where he studied music under Johann Kerl at the expense of the Elector Ferdinand Maria. After further studies in Rome 1673-74, he returned to Munich and became court organist in 1675. Having also studied mathematics, philosophy, and theology, he was ordained in 1680. He was made director of the court chamber music, but in 1688 the younger Bernabei was appointed general music director on the death of his father, and Steffani, disappointed in his hopes of obtaining the post, left Munich.

After a visit to Venice he went to the court of Hanover, where the post of music director was offered him, and there he also filled other posts, including diplomatic ones. The philosopher Leibniz, who was also at the court, sent him on a diplomatic mission to various German courts in 1696; in 1698 he was ambassador to Brussels, and on the death of the Elector Ernest Augustus transferred his services to the Elector Palatine at Düsseldorf. In 1706 he was made a nominal bishop. In 1708-09 he was on a diplomatic mission in Italy, where he met Handel, who went into service at the Hanoverian court at his suggestion. His best known opera, Tassilone, dates from this time; it unites the Italian and German musical influences which were paramount in Steffani's life. In 1722-25 he lived at Padua and in 1727 he was elected honorary president of the London Academy of Vocal Music. In 1727 he went to Italy for the last time. He died at Frankfurt during a diplomatic visit.

Works Opera Marco Aurelio (1680), Solone (1685), Servio Tullio, Alarico il Baltha (1687), Niobe (1688), Enrico Leone, La lotta d'Hercole con Achelao (1689), La superbia d'Alessandro (1690), Orlando generoso (1691), Le rivali concordi, La libertà contenta (1693), I trionfi del fato (1695), Baccanali, Briseide, Arminio, Enea, and Tassilone (1709); music for a tournament Audacia e rispetto.

Church and secular music motets, vesper psalms for eight voices, Stabat Mater for six voices, strings, and organ (1727); Confitebor for three voices and strings, and other church music; madrigals; vocal chamber duets with bass; chamber sonatas for two violins, viola, and bass.