Classical Music / Composer's Datebook: November 29
Italian Opera Composer and rival of Vincenzo Bellini, masters of 'Bel Canto'
Brief biography of Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, his life, career and list of major opera works. Best known for the comedy opera L'Elisir d'amore.
Donizetti's Early Years
Italian composer Domenico Gaetano Donizetti was born in Bergamo, Italy, on November 29, 1797. He came from humble beginnings and unmusical background, unlike his contemporary and rival, Vincenzo Bellini who was guided by his composer grandfather. Donizetti was born in Bergamo, Italy on November 29, 1797, the same year as Schubert, and studied music locally.
Donizetti's Training, Influence and Marriage
As a boy, he learned so quickly that he was sent to Liceo Filarmonica in Bologna. Then his talent was greatly recognized by Johann Mayr, opera composer and conductor, who supported and provided him a solid musical education. Nearing adulthood, he continued his lessons with Padre Mattei, a renowned counterpoint maestro. At 27, he married Virginia Vasselli, a daughter of a Roman lawyer.
Donizetti's Operatic Works, Career and Recognition
At the age of 21, he received his first operatic commission. He was writing four to five operas a year.
Donizetti composed more than 70 operas including Lucrezia Borgia, Lucia di Lammermoor, based on the classic The Bride of Lammermoor by Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott containing the famous "Mad Scene', La fille du regiment, La favorite, and Don Pasquale. The opera that made his name widely known was Anna Bolena, based on Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VII, produced in 1830 at Milan, although by this time he had already produced over 30 operas. His Lucia di Lammermoor, produced at Naples in 1835, was another tremendous success.
Donizetti excelled not only in serious operas like Lucia di Lammermoor but also in comic operas such as L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love). These two operas are regularly performed worldwide. In his 40s, he visited Paris where he was warmly accepted and produced operas there.
His last major opera Don Pasquale was completed in 1843. About this time, his physical and mental health began to fail, and he became paralysed in 1845. His mental disorder and paralysis were caused by syphilis. He died aged 50, on April 8, 1848, also in Bergamo his birthplace.
Donizetti Legacy
He is best remembered the ‘master of the mad scene’, for which ironically, he also died in the same state of mind he portrayed so tragically on stage. However, he should also be remembered for his most delightful comic operas.
Donizetti's Operas:
Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn) 1830
L'Elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) 1832
Lucrezia Borgia 1833
Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart) 1834
Rosmona d'Inghilterra 1834
Lucia di Lammermoor (The Bride of Lammermoor) 1835
La Filled du regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) 1840
La Favorita (The Favorite) 1840
Linda de Chamounix (Linda of Chamonix) 1842
Maria de Rohan 1843
Don Pasquale 1843
Image Credit:
Portrait of Gaetano Donizetti by Giuseppe Rillosi, 1848. en.wikipedia.org / Public Domain.
Resources:
Gaetano Donizetti. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org.
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Dictionary of Music. London: Macmillan Press Ltd, 1994.
(Note: I originally wrote & publish this article for suite101.com, October 7, 2007. / Tel)
(c) October 2007. Updated November 29, 2021. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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