Antonio Pollarolo

Antonio Giovanni Pollarolo (12 November 1676 — 30 May 1746) was an Italian composer of the Baroque period, keyboardist, and maestro di cappella at St Mark's Basilica in Venice.

A precursor to 19th century bel canto opera composers like Gioachino Rossini and Gaetano Donizetti, his vocal writing was written in a virtuosic manner characterized by florid coloratura passages, wide vocal range, lively tempos, and syncopated rhythms.

At the age of 13 he moved with his family to Venice when his father was appointed vicemaestro di cappella at St Mark's Basilica.

He later succeeded Lotti in the higher position of primo maestro at that cathedral in 1740; a post he held until his death six years later.

He concurrently served as maestro di Coro at the Venice Conservatory while working at St Mark's Basilica; a post he was first elected to in 1716.