Son of the composer Giovanni Maria Bononcini, Giovanni Bononcini, a cellist and composer, was only eight years old when his father died, whereupon he moved to Bologna as an orphan. However, he went on to establish himself in Italy as a composer of oratorios, and then of opera. He moved to Vienna in the service of Leopold I and his successor, by whom he was well rewarded. After a period in Rome he was recruited in 1720 by the Earl of Burlington to London, where he won initial success but suffered from the political machinations of opponents. He finally returned to Vienna, where he died in 1747.

Stage and Vocal Music

Bononcini was held in high contemporary esteem as a composer of opera and of cantatas for solo voice, genres in which he was prolific.

Instrumental Music

Bononcini’s instrumental works include trio sonatas and sinfonie for various numbers of players.