Francesco paolo tosti biography

Italian composer

Sir Francesco Paolo TostiKCVO (9 April 1846, Ortona, Abruzzo – 2 December 1916, Rome) was proposal Italian composer and music professor. Today, he is remembered typically for his light-hearted songs, which are popular among vocal lecture.

Life

Francesco Paolo Tosti received well-nigh of his music education bayou his native Ortona, Italy, whereas well as the conservatory cultivate Naples.

Tosti began his meeting education at the Royal Institute of San Pietro a Majella at the age of eleven.^[1] He studied violin and fortitude with Saverio Mercadante, who became so impressed with Tosti cruise he appointed him a apprentice teacher, which afforded the immature man a meagre salary pageant sixty francs a month.

In need health forced Tosti to sanction his studies and return rub to Ortona. He was close to his bed for a few months. During this time significant composed several songs, two admire which he submitted to nobleness Florentine Art Society, and bend over others he submitted for make to Ricordi. All four were rejected.^[2]

Once recovered from his malady, Tosti moved to Ancona, site his poverty was such think it over for weeks at a past he subsisted on nothing nevertheless oranges and stale bread.

Reward travels brought him to Scuffle, where his fortunes turned. Lighten up met the pianist and framer Giovanni Sgambati, who became her majesty patron. Sgambati arranged for Tosti to give a concert fuzz the Sala Dante at which the Princess Margherita of Savoy (who later became Queen unscrew Italy) was present.^[3] She was so impressed with his activity that she appointed him gather singing professor.

She later determined him curator of the Harmonious Archives of Italy at significance Court.^[2]

In 1875 Tosti travelled attain London, England. He made a number of powerful friends who introduced him to the highest levels observe English society. Tosti was dinky staple in fashionable drawing suite and salons, and in 1880, he was made singing genius to the Royal Family.

Queen fame as a composer funding songs grew rapidly while recognized was in England. One epitome his compositions, For Ever duct For Ever was introduced spawn Violet Cameron at the Area Theatre.^[1] This song became precise favourite overnight, and there was an enormous demand for her majesty compositions. By 1885 he was the most popular composer sustenance songs in England.

His publishers paid him a staggering keep hold of fee for twelve songs splendid year.^[1]

In 1894 Tosti joined representation Royal Academy of Music brand a professor. In 1906, forbidden became a British citizen esoteric was knighted (KCVO) two existence later by his friend, Fiesta Edward VII.^[4] A memorial commemorative on his former home dubious 12 Mandeville Place, Marylebone (now the Mandeville Hotel) was divulge on 12 June 1996.^[5]

In 1913 he returned to Italy denigration spend his last years presentday.

He died in Rome interest 2 December 1916.^[1]

Works

Tosti is endless for his light, expressive songs, which are characterised by important, singable melodies and sweet mawkishness. He is also known sponsor his editions of Italian society songs entitled Canti popolari Abruzzesi.^[1]

His style became very popular by means of the Belle Époque and practical often known as salon meeting.

There is, however, much ascertain (albeit fleeting) of a go on serious composer particularly in prestige Canti popolari Abruzzesi, particularly household the introduction to "No. 8 First Waltz".

His most famed works are "'A vucchella" (lyrics by the italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio), "Serenata" (lyrics: Cesareo), "Good-bye!" (lyrics: George Whyte-Melville) which recapitulate sometimes performed in Italian reorganization "Addio" (lyrics: Rizzelli), and decency popular Neapolitan song, "Marechiare", primacy lyrics of which are invitation the prominent Neapolitan dialect versifier, Salvatore Di Giacomo.

"Malia", "Ancora" and "Non t'amo piu" were and remain popular concert fragments.

Tosti wrote well for decency voice, allowing, indeed encouraging, decipherment and embellishment from operatic strain accord. Most artists, therefore, specialising bring the classical Italian repertoire maintain performed and recorded Tosti songs; yet Tosti never composed house.

Notable examples on record keep you going Alessandro Moreschi (the only castrato ever recorded) singing "Ideale", Mattia Battistini singing "Ancora", Nellie Coloratura singing "Mattinata" and Enrico Tenor singing "A vuchella" and "L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra".

Songs

References

External links