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Luigi CherubiniItalian composer
Date of Birth: 14.09.1760
Country:  Italy |
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Biography of Luigi Cherubini
Luigi Cherubini was an Italian composer born on September 14, 1760 in Florence. By the age of 16, he had already composed several masses, oratorios, cantatas, and other works in religious genres. In his early twenties, Cherubini left Italy and gained recognition with his opera Armida (1782).
Time in London
From 1784 to 1786, Cherubini served as the court composer for King George III in London. However, after 1788, he settled in Paris. Influenced by the idea of unity between music and drama, as exemplified by the works of Christoph Willibald Gluck, Cherubini abandoned the lighter and more formal style of Italian opera and began composing in a more expressive and harmonically rich manner.
Operatic Successes
Cherubini's most successful operas included Lodoiska (1791), Medea (1797) - based on the ancient Greek tragedy, which is occasionally performed to this day, Les Deux Journes (also known as The Water Carrier, 1800) - a rescue opera with a melodramatic plot that greatly influenced Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, and Anacreon, ou L'Amour fugitif (1803) - the overture of which is still performed in concert repertoire.
Later Years and Legacy
The later years of the 18th century and the early years of the 19th century were difficult for Cherubini. He suffered from illness, poverty, and lacked support from the authorities. However, he continued to compose operas, although his main focus shifted to religious genres. Notable works in this period included his Mass in F major, Mass in A major, and Requiem in C minor.
Ultimately, Cherubini's compositions gained public recognition, and in 1816 he became a court musician and superintendent of the Royal Chapel. In 1822, he was appointed as the director of the Paris Conservatory, a position he held until his death. Luigi Cherubini passed away on March 15, 1842 in Paris.
