Arcangelo Corelli was born on February 17, 1653, in Fusignano, a small town in the Romagna region of the Papal States, Italy. He was born to a family of landowners, though not of nobility, and his father, also named Arcangelo, passed away five weeks before his birth. Raised by his mother, Santa Raffini, Corelli grew up with four elder siblings.

Corelli's early musical education is not thoroughly documented, but it is believed that he began his studies under a priest in a nearby town. Between 1666 and 1667, he studied violin with Giovanni Benvenuti at the chapel of San Petronio in Bologna and furthered his education under Leonardo Brugnoli. In 1670, he was inducted into the Philharmonic Academy of Bologna.

Corelli moved to Rome after his studies in Bologna, where he became a central figure in the city's musical life. He played violin at the Tordinona Theatre and later joined the orchestra of the chapel of San Luigi dei Francesi, eventually becoming its second violinist. His career flourished under the patronage of influential figures, and he was associated with the Pontifical Academy of Arcadia.

Corelli's compositions, particularly his sonatas and the '12 Concerti Grossi,' were pivotal in the development of the modern sonata and concerto forms. His work established the prominence of the violin in Italian music and influenced the evolution of violin playing techniques. Corelli's music was celebrated for its balance, refinement, and expressive polyphony, embodying classical ideals while utilizing Baroque elements.

Throughout his career, Corelli was renowned as a virtuoso violinist and was referred to as "the new Orpheus" and "the prince of musicians." His influence extended beyond Italy, as his students spread his techniques across Europe. Corelli's works remain significant in music education and concert repertoires today.

Arcangelo Corelli passed away on January 8, 1713, in Rome. His legacy as a master of Baroque music and a pioneer in violin composition and performance endures, securing his place as a crucial figure in the history of Western music.