One of Francesco Manfredini’s 11 children, Vincenzo Manfredini was born in Pistoia. He studied with his father and then in Bologna with Perti. With his brother, the castrato Giuseppe Manfredini, he joined Locatelli’s opera ensemble in Russia, where he became maestro di cappella to the imperial family and harpsichord teacher of the heir to the throne, Paul. In 1762 he became director of the opera, but after Galuppi’s arrival in 1765 he was given charge principally of ballet music. In 1769 he returned to Bologna but in 1796 was recalled to St Petersburg to serve as harpsichord teacher at the court of Tsar Paul I.

Stage, Instrumental and Vocal Music
Manfredini wrote operas and ballets in Russia and for Bologna and Venice, and sets of sonatas and symphonies. He wrote a book on the teaching of singing and aroused further controversy through his views on the proper nature of opera.