Born in Venice in 1777, Filippo Trajetta was the son of renowned opera composer Tommaso Trajetta, and Russian artist Elizabeth Sund. After Filippo studied counterpoint with Fedele Fenaroli and composition with Niccolo Piccinni, he settled in Naples, joined the revolutionary movement, and composed patriotic hymns, which eventually caused his arrest and detainment. Upon his release, he boarded a ship destined for Massachusetts, and landed in America in 1800. Italian based ensemble Modus String Quartet performs these works. The ensemble is Serena Soccoia, Pantaleo Gadaleta, Teresa Laera, and Gaetano Simone.