Italian composer and violinist. His father, Giovanni Battista Vitali, took him to Modena in 1674 and probably taught him the violin. He studied composition with Pacchioni, and was employed at the Este court orchestra from 1675 to 1742, first as a violinist and later as its leader. Among his pupils were Dall'Abaco and Senaillé. Vitali's works are all instrumental; his solo and trio sonatas reveal the influences of his father and Corelli .