Nikola Porpora Composer, teacher, conductor Date of Birth: 17.08.1686 Country: Italy

Biography of Nicola Porpora

Nicola Porpora, a composer, teacher, and conductor, was born on August 17, 1686, in Naples. At the age of ten, he began studying music at the Neapolitan Conservatorio del Poveri di Gesu Cristo. Porpora's first opera, "Agrippina," was performed in Naples in 1708.

From 1711 to 1725, Porpora served as a court Kapellmeister to Prince Hessen-Darmstadt, and he also taught at the Neapolitan Conservatorio di S. Onofrio from 1715 to 1721. Among his students were famous singers Farinelli, Cafarelli, Uberti (known as "Porporino"), and composer Gasse.

Porpora's operas, such as "Flavio Anicio Olibrio," "Basilio re d'oriente," "Arianna e Teseo," "Temistocle," "Eumene," and "Adelaide," were performed in various cities across Europe. In 1725, Porpora moved to Vienna, then Dresden, and in 1729, he relocated to London, where he became the conductor of the opera theater. It was in London that his creative rivalry with G.F. Handel unfolded.

From 1736, Porpora lived in Venice and Naples, continuing his active creative and teaching activities. In 1747, he moved to Dresden, and in 1751, to Vienna, where he met J. Haydn, who took composition lessons from Porpora. From 1758, Porpora resided in Naples, serving as the director of the Conservatorio di S. Onofrio.

Porpora's creative legacy includes more than 40 operas, chamber symphonies, cantatas, violin sonatas, keyboard fugues, and other works. He also wrote several instructional books on vocal art. Nicola Porpora passed away on March 3, 1768, in Naples.