A cellist in the famous musical establishment of the basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, Giovanni Battista Vitali was a founding member of the Accademia Filarmonica, from 1674 serving as sotto maestro di capella and then as maestro di capella at the D’Este court in Modena.
Choral and Instrumental Music
Vitali was prolific as a composer, producing oratorios, cantatas and a variety of instrumental works, including sonatas for various numbers of instruments.