Attilio Malachia Ariosti (or Frate Ottavio) (5 November 1666 - 1729) was a Servite Friar and Italian composer in the Baroque style, born in Bologna. He produced more than 30 operas and oratorios, numerous cantatas and instrumental works, including Il Vespasiano, from which this overture was taken. In this medium-level arrangement for strings and piano by Philip Clark, emphasis is placed on bowing to facilite greater precision and a crisper sound.