His real name was Caletti-Bruni, buthe owed his education to a noble, whose name he took in return, His whole career was spent at St. Mark's, as singer from 1617, second organist from 1640, first from 1665, and choirmaster from 1668. He married into a wealthy , family and enjoyed much esteem. His operas numbered about 40 (1639-67), two-thirds of them crowded into the years 1642-55.
Nearly all were first given at Venice. The most famous was Giasone (1649), which was widely reproduced elsewhere, but only one, Xerse (1654), was published. In 166o he was called to Paris to assist in the festivities at the marriage of Louis XIV., giving Xerse (with incidental music by Lully), and again in 1662,giving Ercole amante.
He was likewise called upon to grace other occasions, as to Milan in 1653 and to Innsbruck in 1662. Besides operas, he wrote some church music (from 1645), including an 8-voice Requiem.
Cavalli, Carissimi and Cesti: Dramatic Composers
