Felice Alessandri
Encyclopedia
Felice Alessandri was an Italian keyboardist and composer who was internationally active; working in Berlin
, London
, Paris
, St. Petersburg, and Turin
. He is best known for his stage works, and he produced a total of 32 opera
s between 1764 and 1794. His other compositions include 6 symphonies, 6 trio sonata
s for 2 violins with basso continuo, a ballet
, and an oratorio
.
, Alessandri was trained at the Naples Conservatory. After completing his studies he became maestro di cappella at the Turin Cathedral. He then moved to Paris, France where he lived for 4 years. After a brief return to Italy, he came to London in 1768 where he was active as a concert pianist and two of his comic operas were staged: La moglie fedete and Re alia caccia. He then spent times in various cities in Italy and in St. Petersburg, Russia. He came to Berlin in 1789 where he was served as choir master of the Berlin Hofoper from 1790-1792. Two of his operas were premiered in Berlin: II Ritorno a Ulysse (1790) and Dario (1791). In 1792 his comic opera I'Ouverture du grand opera italien a Nankin was mounted in Potsdam. Not much is known about his activities over the next six years. He died in 1798 in Casalino
at the age of 50.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, St. Petersburg, and Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. He is best known for his stage works, and he produced a total of 32 opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s between 1764 and 1794. His other compositions include 6 symphonies, 6 trio sonata
Trio sonata
The trio sonata is a musical form that was popular in the 17th and early 18th centuries.A trio sonata is written for two solo melodic instruments and basso continuo, making three parts in all, hence the name trio sonata...
s for 2 violins with basso continuo, a ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, and an oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
.
Life and career
Born in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Alessandri was trained at the Naples Conservatory. After completing his studies he became maestro di cappella at the Turin Cathedral. He then moved to Paris, France where he lived for 4 years. After a brief return to Italy, he came to London in 1768 where he was active as a concert pianist and two of his comic operas were staged: La moglie fedete and Re alia caccia. He then spent times in various cities in Italy and in St. Petersburg, Russia. He came to Berlin in 1789 where he was served as choir master of the Berlin Hofoper from 1790-1792. Two of his operas were premiered in Berlin: II Ritorno a Ulysse (1790) and Dario (1791). In 1792 his comic opera I'Ouverture du grand opera italien a Nankin was mounted in Potsdam. Not much is known about his activities over the next six years. He died in 1798 in Casalino
Casalino
Casalino is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 70 km northeast of Turin and about 11 km southwest of Novara...
at the age of 50.