The Italian composer Domenico Cimarosa was born on December 17, 1749 in Aversa in the former Kingdom of Naples. He died on January 11, 1801 in Venice. December 2024 will mark the 275th anniversary of his birthday.
Cimarosa studied at the Santa Maria di Loreto Conservatory under Niccolò Piccinni and Antonio Sacchini, among others. At the age of twenty he composed his first opera buffa, which premiered at the Teatro del Fiorentini in Naples. He was then invited to compose an opera in Rome for the coming season. The opera buffa “L’italiana in Londra” made him famous throughout Italy. In the following years he composed several operas for the theaters in Venice, Rome, Naples and especially Florence.
Cimarosa studied at the Santa Maria di Loreto Conservatory under Niccolò Piccinni and Antonio Sacchini, among others. At the age of twenty he composed his first opera buffa, which premiered at the Teatro del Fiorentini in Naples. He was then invited to compose an opera in Rome for the coming season. The opera buffa “L’italiana in Londra” made him famous throughout Italy. In the following years he composed several operas for the theaters in Venice, Rome, Naples and especially Florence.
Italy 27.1.2001
Italy 28.12.1949
In 1787, Cimarosa went to Saint Petersburg at the invitation of Tsarina Catherine II. At her court, he composed operas as well as numerous occasional pieces. In 1791, at the invitation of Emperor Leopold II, he became court composer in Vienna, succeeding Antonio Salieri. In 1793, Cimarosa returned to Naples. Because he accepted commissions from the new rulers to compose during the occupation of Naples by French troops, he was later sentenced to death. Influential admirers managed to have the sentence commuted to exile.
In addition to around 100 operas, Domenico Cimarosa composed dramatic cantatas, church music, piano sonatas, oratorios, symphonies and several solo concertos.
In addition to around 100 operas, Domenico Cimarosa composed dramatic cantatas, church music, piano sonatas, oratorios, symphonies and several solo concertos.
The video shows the Paris Voxmusicorum Orchestra during a tour to Israel with the Concerto for 2 Flutes by Domnico Cimarosa. The soloists are the Irish-American musician couple Sir James & Lady Jeanne Galway, conducted by the Israeli conductor Ada Pelleg.