Raffaello De Banfield British composer Date of Birth: 02.06.1922 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Artistic Relationships
3. "Le combat" and International Success
4. Travels and Later Life

Early Life and Education

Raphaello de Banfield was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, on December 27, 1922. His father, Gottfried von Banfield, was an Austro-Hungarian air ace and the last knight of the Order of Maria Theresa. His mother, Maria Tripcovich, was a countess.

De Banfield studied at the Swiss International Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, the Dante Alighieri Lyceum in Trieste, the University of Bologna, and the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory in Venice. In 1946, he attended the Paris National Conservatory, where he studied composition.

Artistic Relationships

During his time at the Paris National Conservatory, de Banfield met Herbert von Karajan, who became a lifelong friend. He also maintained close relationships with artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Francis Poulenc. In the United States, he befriended writer and composer Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, and Leonard Bernstein.

"Le combat" and International Success

In 1949, de Banfield was introduced to choreographer and ballet dancer Roland Petit by the artist Leonor Fini. This encounter inspired de Banfield to compose the ballet "Le combat." The ballet premiered in London in 1949 and was subsequently performed throughout Europe, including 39 performances at the Vienna State Opera.

Travels and Later Life

Until 1958, de Banfield primarily worked in Paris and New York. He later traveled extensively throughout Italy, France, England, and the United States.

On December 27, 1976, de Banfield married Maria delle Grazie Brandolini d'Adda. The couple had no children, but Brandolini brought three sons from her previous marriage. De Banfield died on January 7, 2008, at the age of 85.