Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762)
Italian composer, one of the leading virtuoso violinists of his time. Born in Luca, he studied under the Italian violinist-composer Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti. In 1714 he went to England and, after 1733, he settled in Ireland, establishing a career as a brilliant performer and teacher. Of his compositions the best known are his concerti grossi, opus 2 and 3. Through his teaching he transmitted the technique and style of Corelli to later generations. The Art of Playing on the Violin, an invaluable 18th-century treatise on violin playing, was for many years misattributed to Geminiani.