Johann Christian Bach, born on September 5, 1735, in Leipzig, Germany, was the youngest son of the renowned composer Johann Sebastian Bach and Anna Magdalena Bach. He received his initial musical education from his father and later from his half-brother Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach in Berlin. In 1754, Johann Christian moved to Italy to study under Padre Martini in Bologna, where he converted to Catholicism and became an organist at Milan Cathedral. His Italian period was marked by the composition of church music and his foray into opera.

In 1762, Bach relocated to London, where he was appointed composer to the King’s Theatre. There, he gained fame for his Italian operas and was dubbed "The English Bach." He also became a music master to Queen Charlotte and collaborated with Karl Friedrich Abel to establish the Bach-Abel Concerts, which were instrumental in London's concert scene. His influence extended to notable composers like Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, contributing significantly to the development of the Classical style.

Despite his early successes, Bach's later years were marred by financial difficulties, partly due to embezzlement by his steward. He died in debt on January 1, 1782, in London. His legacy includes the development of the sinfonia concertante form and a body of work that influenced the early Classical symphony and other genres.