Born:
November 29, 1797; he was the youngest of three children.
Birthplace:
Bergamo in Lombardy, Italy
Died:
April 8, 1848 in Bergamo, Lombardy
Also Known As:
His full name was Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti. He married Virginia Vasseli and they bore three children, although all three died soon after birth. He was one of the most prolific Italian composers during the 19th century. He was also appointed as official composer to the Emperor Ferdinand 1.
Type of Compositions:
He composed over 70 operas in Italian and French. He also wrote at least 20 string quartets, cantatas, three string quintets, two oratorios and several songs and religious works.
Influence:
He studied under Giovanni Simone Mayr, a priest who was also am opera composer. Mayr helped Donizetti get into a music school, the Liceo Filarmonico, in Bologna. Donizetti's father was also supportive of him.
Notable Works:
Among his famous works are: "Enrico di Borgogna" (1818), "Anna Bolena" (1830), "L'elisir d'amore" (1832), "Lucrezia Borgia" (1833), "Lucia di Lammermoor" (1835), "Maria Padilla," "La fille du régiment" (1840), "La favorite" (1840), "Don Pasquale" (1843) and "Dom Sébastien roi de Portugal" (1843).
Interesting Facts:
Sadly the last years of Donizetti's life was beset with illness. He was confined in a private asylum near Paris before being released to his nephew Andrea and taken home to Bergamo where he died.
Music Sheet:
Downloadable Gaetano Donizetti music sheets available here.
Music Sample:
Listen to Pavarotti singing "Una Furtiva Lagrima" from Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore courtesy of YouTube