Musicatlas
Music
Many Works for Violoncello, Drei Sonaten für Violoncello und Basso continuo (c.1765)
Life
Giovanni Battista Cirri was an Italian cellist and composer. He had his first musical studies with his brother Ignazio (1711-87), he was also organist at Forli Cathedral from 1759 and also composer of 12 organ sonatas (Op.1 -- London,1770).
He was admitted to holy orders in 1739 but pursued a mostly varied musical career. From 1759 he was a member of the Accademia Filarmonica. He was in Paris during the first half of the 1760’s and his first works were published including a "Symphony" which was performed at the Concert Spirituel on 5th April 1763.
In 1764 he settled in London where he was employed as chamber musician to the Duke of York and Director of music to the Duke of Gloucester. His first public appearance in London on 16th May 1764 was as accompanist to violinist Marcella. He played solos at the eight-year-old Mozart’s first public concert in London. He also participated in the Bach-Abel Concerts.
In 1780 he returned to Forli to help his ailing brother at the Cathedral, though he played away from Forli and in 1782 was principal cellist at the Teatro dei Fiorentini in Naples. In 1787 he succeeded his brother as "maestro di cappella" at Forli Cathedral.