Believed to be one of the leading figures of the bel canto opera style of the early 19th century, Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti was a prolific Italian composer hailed for carrying forward the legacies of Rossini and Bellini. Born on November 29, 1797, in Bergamo, Lombardy, Donizetti was immersed in music from a young age, and his journey led him to the prestigious Bologna Academy. His breakthrough came with "Zoraida di Granata," which secured him a deal with a leading Neapolitan opera house.

Throughout his career, Donizetti penned over 70 operas, marked by a deft amalgamation of musical clarity, emotive arias, and nuanced characterizations. His fame spread far and wide with operas such as "L'elisir d'amore" (1832), the somberly beautiful "Lucia di Lammermoor" (1835), and the comic masterpiece "Don Pasquale" (1843). Amidst frequent comparisons with his contemporaries, Donizetti's works stood out for their lyrical content and intricate vocal lines. Despite battling mental and physical ailment in his later years, Donizetti's impact on the opera genre remained indelible, influencing future composers and enrapturing audiences long after his death on April 8, 1848. His music continues to be a cornerstone in opera repertoires worldwide, demonstrating his enduring legacy within classical music.

Genres

Classical

Early Romantic Era

Italian Opera

Italian Romanticism

Opera

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Giuseppe Verdi

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Vincenzo Bellini

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Christoph Willibald Gluck

Niccolò Paganini

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Jules Massenet

Pietro Mascagni

Charles Gounod

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Domenico Cimarosa

Latest Release

Donizetti Grand Seigneur, Baritone arias

Gaetano Donizetti•

Nicola Alaimo•

Giacomo Sagripanti•

Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Album - 11 Tracks - Released November 15, 2024