Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801), Italian composer, born in Aversa, near Naples. His first opera, Le stravaganze del conte (The Count's Extravagances), was produced in 1772 in Naples, and Cimarosa soon achieved some recognition, traveling between Naples and Rome writing and producing operas. In 1787, by invitation of Catherine II, empress of Russia, he went to Saint Petersburg as court composer. In 1791, because of poor health, he left Russia and became choirmaster in Vienna. Returning to Naples in 1793, Cimarosa became involved in politics and sided with the French during their occupation of the city. After imprisonment by the Italians and a sentence of exile, Cimarosa died en route to Saint Petersburg. He wrote more than 60 operas, as well as masses, cantatas, and oratorios. He is best known for his comic operas, characterized by wit and brilliant orchestration, especially his masterpiece, Il matrimonio segreto (The Secret Marriage, 1792).
Hotmail
