Donizetti, (Domenico) Gaetano (Maria)

(born Nov. 29, 1797, Bergamo, Cisalpine Republic—died April 8, 1848, Bergamo, Lombardy, Austrian Empire) Italian opera composer. He was tutored and guided by the opera composer Simone Mayr (1763–1845). His opera had a successful premiere in Rome in 1822, but it was in 1830 that made his name internationally. Later successes included (1832), (1833), (1835), (1837), (1840), and (1843). Enormously prolific, he could produce an entire opera in weeks. He completed almost 70 operas, as well as more than 150 sacred works and hundreds of songs. Infected with syphilis, he suffered a severe four-year decline leading to his death. He was one of the foremost Italian opera composers of the early 19th century and a principal master of the bel canto style.

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