Antonio Pollarolo

Antonio Giovanni Pollarolo (12 November 1676 — 30 May 1746) was an Italian composer of the Baroque period, keyboardist, and maestro di cappella at St Mark's Basilica in Venice. As a composer he is primarily remembered for his operas, although his composition output also included cantatas, oratorios, and motets. A precursor to 19th century bel canto opera composers like Gioachino Rossini and Gaetano Donizetti, his vocal writing was written in a virtuosic manner characterized by florid coloratura passages, wide vocal range, lively tempos, and syncopated rhythms.