Domenico Scarlatti was the sixth of ten children in the Scarlatti family, and Alessandro was not only his father but also his earliest and most influential teacher. Domenico most likely began his musical training under Alessandro's guidance in Naples, where his father was maestro di cappella. Alessandro recognized his son's talent early, famously writing that Domenico was "an eagle whose wings had grown," and sent him away from Naples to develop further, first to Venice and later to Rome. This formative instruction created the foundation for Domenico's later achievements as a virtuoso harpsichordist and innovative keyboard composer.
Related to one another not only by blood but also by a shared artistic lineage, Alessandro and Domenico exemplify two generations of the Scarlatti musical dynasty. Alessandro was a leading figure of the Neapolitan operatic school and one of the most prolific composers of his era, shaping the musical environment in which Domenico was raised. Through Alessandro’s connections, Domenico gained early exposure to important musical circles in Rome and Venice, meeting figures such as Handel, Corelli, and members of the Arcadian Academy. Their relationship reflects a blend of paternal mentorship and professional inheritance: Alessandro’s mastery of vocal and dramatic forms contrasted with Domenico’s pioneering work for the keyboard, yet both contributed significantly to the evolution of Baroque and early Classical music.
