Gaetano Donizetti was one of the most popular opera composers of the first half of the 1800's. He was born on November 29, 1797, near the Italian city of Bergamo. He studied music with Johannes Simon Mayr, a well-known composer of Italian operas.
Donizetti followed many of the operatic traditions established by the great Italian opera composer Giocchino Rossini. Like Rossini, Donizetti wrote both serious and comic operas. His serious operas were usually based on historical or literary topics. For example, Anna Bolena (1830) is based on the tragic story of Ann Boleyn, wife of England's Henry VIII. Maria Stuarda (1835) deals with the similarly tragic life of Mary Queen of Scots. Donizetti's most popular serious opera is Lucia di Lammermoor (1835), based on Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermmor. The opera concludes with Lucia's stunning Mad Scene, in which the heroine's insanity is portrayed by her elaborate vocal displays.
Today, Donizetti is better known for his comic operas, such as Elixir of Love (1832) and Don Pasquale (1843). Unlike the serious operas, these comic operas depict the antics of ordinary people. In Elixir of Love, for example, Nemorino buys a love potion guaranteed to win his beloved Adina. Comic confusion erupts as the "love potion" turns out to be only wine, with no magic properties to soften Adina's heart.
Donizetti died in Bergamo on April 8, 1848. He had written more than 70 operas, as well as symphonies, chamber music, masses, and works for piano. His operas were performed all over Italy and also in London, Paris, and Vienna. In his serious operas, Donizetti introduced new levels of dramatic realism. His comic operas are light and airy, full of charming music and comic twists that continue to delight modern audiences.
Donizetti followed many of the operatic traditions established by the great Italian opera composer Giocchino Rossini. Like Rossini, Donizetti wrote both serious and comic operas. His serious operas were usually based on historical or literary topics. For example, Anna Bolena (1830) is based on the tragic story of Ann Boleyn, wife of England's Henry VIII. Maria Stuarda (1835) deals with the similarly tragic life of Mary Queen of Scots. Donizetti's most popular serious opera is Lucia di Lammermoor (1835), based on Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermmor. The opera concludes with Lucia's stunning Mad Scene, in which the heroine's insanity is portrayed by her elaborate vocal displays.
Today, Donizetti is better known for his comic operas, such as Elixir of Love (1832) and Don Pasquale (1843). Unlike the serious operas, these comic operas depict the antics of ordinary people. In Elixir of Love, for example, Nemorino buys a love potion guaranteed to win his beloved Adina. Comic confusion erupts as the "love potion" turns out to be only wine, with no magic properties to soften Adina's heart.
Donizetti died in Bergamo on April 8, 1848. He had written more than 70 operas, as well as symphonies, chamber music, masses, and works for piano. His operas were performed all over Italy and also in London, Paris, and Vienna. In his serious operas, Donizetti introduced new levels of dramatic realism. His comic operas are light and airy, full of charming music and comic twists that continue to delight modern audiences.
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