Leonardo Vinci (1690-1730), not to be confused with Leonardo da Vinci, was an Italian musical composer, best known for his operas.

He was born at Strongoli in Calabria and educated at Naples under Gaetano Greco in the Conservatorio dei Poveri di Gesu' Cristo. He first became known for his comic operas in Neapolitan dialect in 1719; he also composed many serious operas. He was received into the Congregation of the Rosary at Formiello in 1728 and died by poisoning in 1730 -- not 1732, as is sometimes stated.

Vinci's comic operas, of which Le Zite 'n Calera (1722) is generally regarded as the best, are full of life and spirit; his serious operas, of which Didone Abbandonata (Rome, 1728) and Ariaserse (Rome, 1730) are the most notable, have an incisive vigour and directness of dramatic expression praised by Charles Burney. The well-known air "Vo solcando," from Artaserse, is a good example of his style.

This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.