Brief biography of Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, his life, career and list of his major operas. Best known for L'Elisir d'amore and Lucia di Lammermoor.

Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, contemporary and rival of Bellini, came from humble beginnings and unmusical background. He was born in Bergamo, Italy on November 29, 1797, the same birth year as Austrian composer Franz Schubert.

As a boy, he learned so quickly that he was sent to Liceo Filarmonica in Bologna. Then his talent was greatly recognized by Johann Mayr, opera composer and conductor, who supported and provided him a solid musical education. Nearing adulthood, he continued his lessons with Padre Mattei, a renowned counterpoint maestro.

At 27, he married Virginia Vasselli, a daughter of a Roman lawyer.

Donizetti's Operatic Works, Career and Recognition

He was twenty-one when he received his first operatic commission, writing 4 to 5 operas a year.

Donizetti composed more than 70 operas including Lucrezia Borgia, Lucia di Lammermoor, based on the classic The Bride of Lammermoor by Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott containing the famous "Mad Scene', La fille du regiment, La favorite, and Don Pasquale. The opera that made his name widely known was Anna Bolena, based on Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VII, produced in 1830 at Milan, although by this time he had already produced over 30 operas. Lucia di Lammermoor, produced at Naples, was another tremendous success.

Donizetti excelled not only in serious operas like Lucia di Lammermoor but also in comic operas such as L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love). These two operas are regularly performed worldwide.

In his 40s, he visited Paris where he was warmly accepted, and produced operas there.

Vincenzo Bellini, famous for Norma, was a contemporary and rival of Gaetano Donizetti.

Donizetti's Last Years

His last major opera Don Pasquale was completed in 1843. About this time, his physical and mental health began to fail, and he became paralysed in 1845. His mental disorder and paralysis were caused by syphilis. He died aged 50.

Donizetti Legacy

He is best remembered the ‘master of the mad scene’, for which ironically, he also died in the same state of mind he portrayed so tragically on stage. However, he should also be remembered for his most delightful comic operas.

Donizetti's Operas

• Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn) 1830
• L'Elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) 1832
• Lucrezia Borgia 1833
• Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart) 1834
• Rosmona d'Inghilterra 1834
• Lucia di Lammermoor (The Bride of Lammermoor) 1835
• La Filled du regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) 1840
• La Favorita (The Favorite) 1840
• Linda de Chamounix (Linda of Chamonix) 1842
• Don Pasquale 1843

Recommended Work

Lucia di Lammermoor (with Dame Joan Sutherland as Lucia)

Sources

The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie, Macmillan, 1994

Classical Music by John Stanley, Mitchell Beasley, 1994