Life
Trained at the height of Neoclassicism, his mature career unfolded in the heart of Romanticism, embodying the figure of the noble amateur and patron typical of the era.
Cesare Pompeo Castelbarco, born in Milan in 1782 to Cesare Ercole and Maria Litta Visconti Arese, belonged to one of the most illustrious families of the Lombard nobility. A man of letters and a patron, he passionately cultivated music, distinguishing himself as a violinist and composer.
He composed numerous chamber works, including a collection of Sonate caratteristiche sopra la Creazione intrecciate col canto for strings and basso continuo, published starting from 1827. His works were appreciated for their elegance and melodic sensitivity, reflecting the musical taste of the early nineteenth century.
Alongside his musical activity, Castelbarco held prominent political and civil roles in Milan: he was a city councillor, a deputy of the provincial congregation, and director of the Royal Conservatory (1825–1827). Linked to the Habsburgs, he received numerous titles and honors. He died in Milan in 1860.
Aneddoto
A European Music
Castelbarco was a correspondent of the Institute of France and a member of prestigious academies, a sign of the European reach of his prestige.Works
Castelbarco's works consist mainly of chamber music: sonatas for strings and bass, instrumental pieces, and chamber works published between 1827 and 1860. Among these, the Sonate caratteristiche sopra la Creazione stand out, witnessing his originality and compositional sensitivity.
Briciole di storia
The Napoleonic Code
After Napoleon proclaimed himself Emperor of the French, his influence in Italy became even more pervasive. In 1804, the French Civil Code, known as the Napoleonic Code, was introduced and applied throughout the territory of the Italian Republic. It was a true legal and social revolution. The Code swept away centuries of medieval laws and customs, and asserted modern principles such as the equality of all citizens before the law, the secularism of the state, personal freedom, the protection of private property, and the introduction of divorce. Although imposed by a foreign power, the Napoleonic Code laid the foundations of modern law in Italy.
Pubblico dominio (Commons)
