In order to understand the world in which Corelli it composed, it must rethink to the Rome of XVII century. Rome was the Saint City governed from the Pope and the cardinals of the noble families like the Medici, with the elegant palaces, the immense libraries and with a great passion for music.
The first one patron of Corelli was the fascinating Queen of Sweden, Cristina. Sweden was protestant and when she decided to be converted to the Christianity she came forced to abdicate in 1654. When she moved herself to Rome, became very soon the most famous woman of the time. Her complex character has inspired numerous theatrical works, books and grand operas. In her palace were regularly organized concerts directed from Corelli.
The other Corelli’s patron were the Cardinal Peter Ottoboni, born in Venice from an aristocratic and famous family. Ottoboni It had a great collection of paintings, an enormous library, and organized theatrical events. But his greater passion was music. It did not attend to expenses in organizing refined musical comedies that, in 1707, kept every monday in his palace with Corelli. These shows were the more important events of the roman musical life of the time.