Bitti, Martino 1660 - 02/02/1743

Martino Bitti detto Martinetto (* 1660 in Genoa; † February 2, 1743 in Florence) was an Italian violinist and composer of baroque.

As a violinist and composer Bitti was one of the musicians of the post-Corelli era. He acquired his musical training in Venice, among others, the violinist Giovanni Battista Vivaldi (1655-1736), the father of Antonio Vivaldi.

From 1688 to his death Bitti was employed serving the Grand Dukes of Tuscany in Florence. First under Ferdinando II de' Medici as "suonatore di Violino"(violin player), a year later as "primo violino" (first violinist) with Cosimo III de' Medici. In the summer of 1717 a meeting took place in Florence with the German violinist Johann Georg Pisendel who produced copies of numerous works by Bitti. Together with other composers, Bitti composed several stage works and oratorios, known as pastiches.