Francesco Barsanti (1690–1772) was an Italian flautist, oboist and composer. He was born in the Tuscan city of Lucca but spent most of his career in London.
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In 1708 Barsanti travelled to Padova intending to pursue an education in science; after having attended a number of concerts in that city he decided to dedicate himself to music.
Several years later Barsanti completed his studies in Padova and ventured to London, where he intended to be hired by an orchestra. This is where the composer would spend the majority of his life.
Briefly in 1717 and once again in 1718, Barsanti returned to his native city of Lucca to perform at the Santa Croce Holy Festival (an annual event organised by affluent Luccan statesmen, as a means to uphold the city musical notoriety).
In 1735 Barsanti decided to leave London, the city which had provided him with so much prosperity, and marry a woman of the Scottish aristocracy—the society of whom would eventually aid him in the publication of a modest repertoire. At length he returned to London once again, but this time he performed as a violist. He performed for many years in divers London theatres. Impoverished and destitute, Barsanti died suddenly in 1772.