Born in Naples he was one of the first generation of virtuoso-mandolinists who left Italy and played the mandolin in Europe in the 18th century.
[1][5] He advertised in 1785 that he was master of singing and mandolin to Her Royal Highess, the Princess of Prussia.
[5] A work of music addressed to her exists today in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
D major by Giovai Battista Gervasio (from Naples), given to a Prussian princess.
The work was labeled "for fun and chamber study" on the title page.