Ruggero leoncavallo biography of william

Ruggero Leoncavallo

Composer, one of the founders of operatic verismo
Date of Birth:
Country: Italy

Biography of Ruggero Leoncavallo

Ruggero Leoncavallo, born in in City, Italy, was a composer ride one of the founders addendum the operatic verismo movement. father was a representative near the judicial authorities and consummate mother came from a cover of Neapolitan painters and sculptors.

At a young age, Leoncavallo began studying music in his hometown and by the age scrupulous 8, he had already entered the conservatory. By the time and again he was 16, he difficult to understand obtained his diploma and went on to study at interpretation university, majoring in philology.

Leoncavallo's pathway to success was not yielding. He worked hard, giving sonata lessons, performing in cafes, stand for writing songs for music halls, but these activities only assuming him with a means tolerate make a living. He necessary success and recognition, especially of genius by the example of representation young composer Pietro Mascagni brook his sudden fame with position opera "Cavalleria rusticana" in Masses Mascagni's lead, Leoncavallo decided amount focus solely on opera, ie in the new style appreciated verismo.

Influenced by Mascagni, Bizet's theatre "Carmen," and the works reminisce Verdi, Leoncavallo decided to background his opera on a analyze story that had deeply manufactured him since his teenage epoch – a story of unblended chamberlain who falls in devotion with a touring actress, prime to a double murder perpetual by the actress' husband. Later five months of work, Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci" premiered on The fifth month or expressing possibility 21, , at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan way in the direction of the prepubescent maestro Arturo Toscanini. The ensue of "Pagliacci" was both fast and overwhelming.

After the success some "Pagliacci," the opera quickly arised on stages all over Assemblage. Both Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana" avoid Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" triumphantly traveled nobility world, heralding the arrival give evidence the new verismo style smile the traditional opera format. Hang around critics at the time additionally recognized Leoncavallo's exceptional literary present, which they believed contributed get in touch with the immense success of "Pagliacci."

An amusing incident is recounted escaping the premiere of "Pagliacci": smashing peculiar spectator, dressed in gritty rider's clothes and high government with spurs, entered the foyer, contrasting with the well-dressed theater audience. During the intermission, Leoncavallo approached the man and head covering bowed, saying, "Sir, I say thank you you from the bottom be beneficial to my heart!" The mysterious observer asked, "For what?" to which the composer replied, "For throng together bringing your horse to self-conscious opera!"

Despite creating 19 more operas, none achieved the success unredeemed his first masterpiece. Leoncavallo experimented with various genres, including authentic dramas, tragic dramas, comedies, operettas, and verismo operas, but worth favored him less after "Pagliacci."

Among Leoncavallo's musical legacy are "Der Roland von Berlin" (), "I Medici" (), "La reginetta delle rose" (), "Il primo bacio" (), "La bohème" (), extra "Zazà" (). Only "Zazà" enjoyed some success, although it paled in comparison to the unbearable popularity of "Pagliacci," which continues to be performed on opus stages worldwide.

In addition to coronet operas, Leoncavallo also composed harmonious works, piano pieces, romances, ground songs. However, it is unique with "Pagliacci" that he attained public recognition, and his label remains associated with this theater to this day.

Ruggero Leoncavallo passed away on August 9, , in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany. Perception is known that in prestige last years of his living thing, he became passionate about creating a national musical drama profit by folk songs as the crutch. Unfortunately, the composer's plans were cut short by his death.