Domenico Cimarosa

(1749-1801)

Name: Domenico Cimarosa

Gender: Male
Birthday: December 17, 1749
Birthplace: Aversa, province of Caserta, Venice
Parents: Gennaro Cimarosa,
Occupation: Composer
Educatitional Background:

• instructed him in the elements of music and also in the ancient and modern literature of
his country - Padre Polcano

• he studied composition, voice, and keyboard and sang major parts in conservatory
performances - S. Maria di Loreto

• enetered conservatory at the age of 12.

Instrument: Voice and Piano

Works and writings: He composed some seventy-six operas, chiefly opere buffe. These include,
in addition to those mentioned, Giannina e Bernardone(Venice, 1781), I due baroni di Rocca
Azzurra(Rome, 1783), L'impresario in angustie(Naples, 1786), Le astuzie femminili(Naples,
1794), and Gli Orazi ed i Curiazi(tragedia per musica,Venice, 1797). He also composed at least
six oratorios; eighteen Masses (Missa pro defunctis,G minor) and other sacred works; cantatas
(Cantata pastorale,ca. 1780; Angelica e Medora,1783; Il giorno felice,1803); intermezzos (Il
maestro di cappella,ca. 1786-93); a few orchestral pieces, patriotic hymns, some chamber music,
and many keyboard sonatas (generally circulated in one movement but, like Scarlatti's, probably
intended as multimovement works).

Awards and Achievements:

• performed at the Teatro del Fiorentini at Naples in 1772 at the age of 23.

• Cimarosa went to St. Petersburg by invitation of Empress Catherine II.

• he produced his masterpiece, Il matrimonio segreto, which ranks among the highest
achievements of light operatic music.

Facts: This period of his life is said to have been embittered by the intrigues of envious and
hostile persons, among whom figured his old rival, Giovanni Paisiello
. During the occupation of Naples by the troops of the French Republic, Cimarosa joined the
liberal party, and on the return of the Bourbons, was, like many of his political friends,
condemned to death. By the intercession

of influential admirers, his sentence was commuted to banishment, and he left Naples with the
intention of returning to St. Petersburg—but his health was broken, and after much suffering, he
died in Venice on 11 January 1801 of inflammation of the intestine

s. The nature of his disease led to the rumor of his having been poisoned by his enemies;
however, a formal inquest proved this to be unfounded. He worked till the last moment of his
life, and one of his operas, Artemizia, remained unfinished at his death. The place of his death is
marked by a memorial in Campo San Angelo near the calle de Caffetier.
Cause of death: unspecified
Date of Death: January 1, 1801