Francesco Feo

Italian Baroque Composer and Opera Writer

Francesco Feo (1691–1761) was an Italian Baroque composer, primarily known for his operas and sacred music. Born in Naples, Feo studied under the prominent composer Alessandro Scarlatti and became a significant figure in the Neapolitan school of opera. His career was mostly centered around Naples, where he held various positions including maestro di cappella at the court of Naples and at the Conservatorio di Sant'Onofrio. Although Feo composed numerous operas, his sacred music has also garnered attention, particularly his oratorios and masses which reflect the rich liturgical tradition of 18th-century Naples. His works were appreciated for their melodic inventiveness and dramatic quality. While Feo's music might not be as widely performed today as some of his contemporaries, he is recognized for his contributions to the development of Italian opera and church music during the Baroque era.