Veracini, Francesco Maria (1690–1768)

Italian composer and violinist. He travelled widely in Europe, and had operas produced in London. He wrote concertos and about 60 sonatas for violin; his instrumental music was influenced by Arcangelo Corelli and Vivaldi.

Veracini studied with his uncle, Antonio Veracini, and later with Giovanni Maria Casini and Francesco Gasparini in Rome, possibly also with Corelli. He began touring as a virtuoso in 1711, and visited England in 1714. Returning via Germany to Italy, he demonstrated his superiority over Giuseppe Tartini (two years his junior) in a contest in Venice in 1716. The following year he entered the service of the Elector of Saxony in Dresden, but left for Prague in 1723, then returned to Italy. In 1735 he went again to London, where he produced his first opera, Adriano in Siria, followed by several others 1735–44, but as a violinist was overshadowed by Francesco Geminiani. He probably lived in Pisa around 1750–55, then retired to Florence.

Works Opera and stage the operas Adriano in Siria (1753), La clemenza di Tito (1737), Partenio (1738), Rosalinda (after Shakespeare's As You Like It, 1744).

Choral eight oratorios (music lost); cantatas, including Nice e Tirsi (1741) and Parla al ritratto della amata.

Other violin sonatas; concertos; treatise Il Erionfo della pratica musicale.