FRANCESCO GASPARINI, one of the most interesting figures on the Italian musical scene at the turn of the 18th century, was born in Camaiore (Lucca) on 19 March 1661. Active primarily in Rome and Venice, he was a member of the Accademia di S. Cecilia, and frequented the crème de la crème of Roman musical life, which included Arcangelo Corelli and Bernardo Pasquini. He was also one of the very few musicians admitted to the Arcadia. An admired pedagogue, his pupils included Benedetto Marcello and Domenico Scarlatti.