(Francisco), an eminent musical performer and composer, was born at Lucca about the year 1690. He studied the civil law in the university of Padua; but, after a short stay there, chose music for his profession. Accordingly he put himself under the tuition of some of the ablest masters in Italy; and having attained to a considerable degree of proficiency in the science of practical composition, took a resolution to settle in England, and came thither with Geminiani, who was also a Lucchese, in the year 1714. He was a good performer on the hautboy, and also on the flute; in the former capacity he found employment in the opera band, and in the latter derived considerable advantages by teaching. He published with a dedication to the earl of Burlington, five solos for a flute with a thorough-bass, and afterwards five solos for a German flute and a bass. He also made into sonatas, for two violins and a bass, the first fix solos of Geminiani. He continued many years a performer at the opera-house: at length, reflecting that there was a prospect of advantage for one of his profession in Scotland, he went thither; and, with greater truth than the fame is asserted of David Rizzio, may be said to have meliorated the music of this country, by collecting and making basses to a great number of the most popular Scots tunes. About the year 1750 Barsanti returned to England; but, being advanced in years, he was glad to be taken into the opera band as a performer on the tenor violin; and in the summer season into that of Vauxhall. At this time he published 12 concertos for violins; and shortly after, Sei Antifone, in which he endeavoured to imitate the style of Palestrina, and the old composers of motets; but from these publications so little profit resulted, that, towards the end of his life, the industry and economy of an excellent wife, whom he had married in Scotland, and the studies and labors of a daughter, whom he had qualified for the profession of a singer, but who is now an actress at Covent-Garden, were his chief support.

BARTAS (William de Salute du), a French poet, who lived in the 16th century. He was employed by Henry IV. of France in England, Denmark, and Scotland; and commanded a troop of horse in Galway, under the maréchal de Martignan. He was a Calvinist; and died in 1590, aged 46. He wrote a great number of poems; the most famous of which are, 1. The Week, or the Creation of the World, in seven books. 2. The Poem of Judith; and 3. the battle of Ivry, gained by Henry IV. in 1590. Du Bartas wrote in a bombast style.