Antica (Ancient) Pastorale in G major

Antonio Lotti (ca. 1667 – 5 Jan. 1740)
was an Italian Baroque composer.

Lotti was born in Venice, although
his father Matteo was Kapellmeister
at Hanover at the time.

In 1682, Lotti began studying
with Lodovico Fuga and Giovanni
Legrenzi, both of whom were
employed at San Marco Basilica,
Venice's principal church.

Lotti made his career at San Marco
Basilica, first as an alto singer
(from 1689), then as assistant to
the second organist, then as
second organist (from 1692), then
(from 1704) as first organist,
and finally (from 1736) as
maestro di cappella, a position
he held until his death.

He also wrote music for, and
taught at, the Ospedale degli
Incurabili. In 1717 he was given
leave to go to Dresden, where
a number of his operas were
produced

He returned to Venice in 1719 and
remained there until his death
in 1740.

Lotti wrote in a variety of forms,
producing masses, cantatas,
madrigals, around thirty operas,
and instrumental
music.

His sacred choral works are often unaccompanied (a cappella).
His work is considered a
bridge between the established
Baroque and emerging
Classical styles.

Lotti is thought to have influenced
Johann Sebastian Bach,
George Frideric Handel.