Alfredo Catalani: opera and symphony between romanticism and modernity

Life

Trained during the final phase of Romanticism, his artistic maturity was fully expressed in the post-unification Realism period, representing a central figure of the Scapigliatura and anticipating the sensitivity of Decadentism.

Alfredo Catalani was born in Lucca in 1854 into a family of musicians: his father was a music teacher and his mother directed a boarding school. After studying in Lucca, he continued in Paris with Bazin and at the Milan Conservatory with Antonio Bazzini. He debuted in 1875 with La falce, to a libretto by Arrigo Boito, which gave him immediate notoriety.

Settling in Milan, he frequented Scapigliatura circles, assimilating influences from Wagner and French lyric drama. He composed the operas Elda (1880), Dejanice (1883), Edmea (1886), and Loreley (1887). In 1888, he obtained the chair of composition at the Milan Conservatory. In 1892, he presented La Wally at La Scala, which was a great success and was also conducted by Mahler in Hamburg.

Afflicted by tuberculosis, he died prematurely in 1893 at just 39 years old. After his death, Arturo Toscanini promoted his music, consolidating his fame in the 20th century. A monument is dedicated to him in Lucca, and his name remains linked to an intense and innovative operatic production.

Works

Operas: La falce (1875), Elda (1880, later transformed into Loreley), Dejanice (1883), Edmea (1886), Loreley (1887), La Wally (1892, La Scala in Milan, also conducted by Mahler in Hamburg). Nella selva remained unfinished.

Symphonic music: Ero e Leandro (1885, symphonic poem). Choral music: Mass in E minor. Chamber music: Quartet in A major. Piano music: 20 pieces for piano, now rediscovered and recorded.