Barsanti, Francesco (1690, 1772)

Francesco Barsanti (1690-1772) was an Italian flutist, oboist, and composer. After studying law in Padua he went to England with Geminiani in 1714. In London he was flutist and oboist at the Italian opera for a long time. After that he lived in Edinburgh, where in 1742 he wrote his concerti grossi, op.3 and the nine Overture a quattro. After a short stay in Italy he returned to London in 1750. He wrote his Six Antiphons op. 5 in the style of Palestrina, Sonatas for flute and recorder with basso continuo as well as trio sonatas; he edited works of Geminiani and Sammartini and published a Collection of Old Scots Tunes with basso continuo.