Giovanni Maria (born Montecorone, bap. 23 Sept 1642; died Modena, 18 Nov 1678), a violinist for the Dowager Duchess Laura d'Este, was maestro di cappella at Modena Cathedral from 1673.

He wrote mainly instrumental works (nine sets of sonatas and dance movements, 1666-78) but latterly turned to vocal genres, composing a chamber opera, madrigals and two sets of solo cantatas.

His treatise Musico prattico (1673) was widely influential.

His sonatas, among the finest of the late 17th-century Modenese school, show clearly his contrapuntal skill; the sonate da camera, showing both French and Italian features, were probably among the last to be used for dancing.

His brother Giovanni (born Modena, 18 July 1670; died Vienna, 9 July 1747), composer and cellist, worked mainly at Bologna until 1691, publishing several instrumental collections, four masses and ten chamber duets (1691).

From ca 1692 to 1696 he served the Colonna family in Rome, where he wrote stage works including the highly successful Il trionfo di Camilla (1696, Naples).

At the Viennese court, 1698 -1712, he presented about 20 stage works; by 1706 his operas and cantatas were popular in Paris, London and elsewhere.

In 1724-31 he was employed by the Duchess of Marlborough; he later spent time in Paris and Lisbon before returning to Vienna.

His output was immense, including over 60 stage works (mostly operas), over 250 solo cantatas, and sacred pieces.

Except in works such as the contrapuntal early chamber duets his idiom is simple and shows galant features; his arias, though praised for their grace and expressiveness, seldom achieve the dramatic vigour or depth of Handel's.