Marcello composed a considerable amount of church music and was a younger contemporary of Antonio Vivaldi. Cieli immensi translates as Immense Skies.
Benedetto Giacomo Marcello (1686–1739) was an Italian composer, writer, advocate, magistrate and teacher. Born in Venice, Benedetto Marcello was a member of a noble family and in his compositions he is frequently referred to anonymously as Patrizio Veneto (a Venetian aristocrat). Although he was a music student of Antonio Lotti and Francesco Gasparini, his father wanted Benedetto to devote himself to law. Benedetto managed to combine a life in law and public service with one in music. In 1711 he was appointed a member of the Council of Forty, part of Venice's central government. Due to ill health he retired to Brescia where he died of tuberculosis in 1739. Benedetto was the brother of Alessandro Marcello, also a notable composer. His music is characterized by imagination and he was well known in his own lifetime.
Marcello composed a variety of music including considerable church music, oratorios, solo cantatas, duets, sonatas, concertos and sinfonias and was a younger contemporary of Antonio Vivaldi. Part of his legacy is an opera entitled Benedetto Marcello, based loosely his life, composed by Joachim Raff, The Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia (Venice) was named after him and a street in Rome ,Largo Benedetto Marcello, is named after him. Cieli immensi translates as Immense Skies.
