Italian classical music is dominated by opera. Monteverdi in the 17th century was the first to introduce opera as we know it. Before him there was a strong tradition of vocal music strongly influenced by the church.
The 19th century produced the strongest protagonists such as Verdi, Puccini and Rossini still extremely popular today.
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BELLINI, Vincenzo
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3 November 1801 - 23 September 1836 (age 34)
Bellini - the Sicilian 19th century composer. Together with Rossini and Donizetti, he was one of the main proponents of 'Bel Canto' opera.
More on our Bellini page. |
CORELLI, Arcangelo
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17 February 1653 - 8 January 1713 (age 59)
Arcangelo Corelli, Italian late baroque composer.
Has been called: - "Father of the Concerto Grosso"
- "Founder of Modern Violin Technique"
- "The World's Greatest Violinist"
More on our Corelli page |
DONIZETTI, Gaetano
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29 November 1797 - 8 April 1848 (age 50)
Donizetti was one of the great masters of bel canto opera together with Rossini and Bellini.
He was prolific in output and dominated the opera scene in Italy betwen the death of Bellini and the rise of Verdi.
More at our Donizetti page |
GESUALDO, Carlo
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8 March 1566 - 8 September 1613 (age 47)
Don Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, Italian Renaissance composer, lutenist and murderer.
What a story!
More on our Gesualdo page |
LEONCAVALLO, Ruggiero
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23 April 1857 - 9 August 1919 (age 62)
Leoncavallo is one of the 'one hit wonders' of the world of opera. His one act opera 'Pagliacci' is consistently in the top 20 of opera performances, usually paired with Mascagni's 'Cavalleria Rusticana'.
More on our Leoncavallo page . |
MASCAGNI, Pietro
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7 December 1863 - 2 August 1945 (age 81)
Another of the 'one hit wonders' of the world of opera. Mascagni's one act opera 'Cavalleria Rusticana' is consistently in the top 20 of opera performances, usually paired with Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci'.
More on our Mascagni page |
MONTEVERDI, Claudio
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15 May 1567 - 29 November 1643 (age 76)
Claudio Monteverdi, 17th century Italian and one of the most influential Baroque composers in the history of music.
Read more at our Monteverdi page |
PALESTRINA
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1525 - 2 Feb 1594 (age 69)
Our Palestrina page is in preparation. |
PERGOLESI
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4 January 1710 - 16/17 March 1736 (age 26)
Pergolesi was an Italian composer of the Baroque period. 'The Father of Comic Opera'.
What a tragedy that, remarkably talented, he died at the age of only 26. Yet his beautiful creations had an enormous influence on European music.
What if he had lived another 50 years? ....
For more information go to our Pergolesi page |
PUCCINI, Giacomo |
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22 December 1858 -- 29 November 1924 (age 66)
Giacomo Puccini is the Italian composer of some of the most popular and frequently performed operas. Many of his arias have introduced thousands to the joys of opera. An outstanding example of this is the 1990 Football World Cup' theme tune 'Nessun Dorma' from 'Turandot'.
Read more on our Puccini page
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ROSSINI, Gioacchino
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29 February 1792 - 13 November 1868 (age 76)
Gioachino Rossini was an Italian 19th century composer. Together with Bellini and Donizetti he was one of the main proponents of 'Bel Canto' opera.
More on our Rossini page. |
VERDI, Giuseppe
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9 October 1813 - 27 January 1901 (age 87)
Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian 19th century composer. One of the most influential opera composers of all time and one of the most popular.
More on our Verdi page |
VIVALDI, Antonio
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4 March 1678 - 28 July 1741 (age 63)
Antonio Vivaldi, 'the Red Priest', Italian 17th century Baroque composer, violinist, teacher, priest, opera impresario. His Four Seasons is the most played piece of classical music in the world.
More on our Vivaldi page . |
