An Italian composer possibly from Florence. It was noted that he played one of the harpsichords in Mozart's "Mitridate" and that he also served at La Scala. Chiesa's theatre compositions were appreciated by Leopold Mozart but his sacred and instrumental works were most noted (these are the only works that survive). An interesting relationship between his instrumental works (a number of sonatas) and sacred pieces is illustrated by Chiesa's chosen nomenclature: sonatas were often given sacred connotations (e.g., Sonata da Chiesa -- in church style). ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi