Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) was an Italian composer whose short life left a lasting mark on opera and sacred music. Born in Jesi, he worked principally in Naples and became one of the most admired young composers of his generation.

His works include the comic intermezzo La serva padrona, the Stabat Mater, operas, sacred music and instrumental pieces. La serva padrona became a landmark in the development of comic opera.

Pergolesi’s music is clear, expressive and melodically direct, with a special gift for vocal character. Its apparent simplicity often carries remarkable emotional force.

His early death helped turn him into a legend, and some works were later wrongly attributed to him. Even so, the authentic Pergolesi remains a bright and touching voice of the Neapolitan school.