Benedetto Marcello (Venice, 1686 - Brescia, 1739) was a famous Venetian composer.
Coming from a famous aristocratic family, he was both musician and magistrate (first  provveditore of the Venetian Republic in Pola and then Camerlengo in Brescia).

He played an active part in the literary and musical scene in Venice, to the point that he was known as the “prince of music”, mainly on account of his impressive collection of 50 psalms entitled Estro poetico armonico (1724- 1726).
In this cycle of unusual compositions for Italian music, Benedetto Marcello proves himself to be a vigorous and dramatic musician, though still inspired by a good balance and clear composition style. These characteristics are also seen in his theatrical works for voice and instruments: his Concerts a cinque (1708), Sonatas for harpsichord (1710) and flute (1712), oratorios Giuditta (1710) and Gioaz (1726), Canzoni madrigalesche e arias per camera (1717) and Arianna (1727).

He was also famous for his music for satire thanks to Il teatro alla moda (1720), an opera that ridicules the vices and intrigues of the leading names in the colourful world of theatre at the time.
He also published a few tragedies and poems.
One of his brothers, Alessandro Marcello (Venice, 1684-1750), was also an important composer, celebrated for his 12 sonatas for bass and viola and a collection of 6 concerts for oboe and strings.

1600 - 1700 - - rev. 0.1.5