Born Feb. 17, 1653, in Fusignano; died Jan. 8, 1713, in Rome. Italian violinist, composer, conductor, and teacher. Founder of the Italian school of violin.

Corelli wrote ensemble and solo works for violin, trio sonatas (four collections, published 1681–94), sonatas for violin and bass (published 1700), and concert grossi (published 1714). His sonatas were models for the concert violin style, and his concerti grossi played an important role in the formation of classical orchestral music. In his works, Corelli often drew upon folk dances and songs. His playing was characterized by contemporaries as brilliant and expressive. Corelli’s pupils included the Italian violinists P. Locatelli and G. Somis.