Saverio Mercadante

Italian composer Saverio Mercadante (1795-1870) was a significant figure in nineteenth century Italy; his operatic reforms paved the way for Giuseppe Verdi, though Mercadante's own work is outstanding in its own right. Mercadante first achieved success with the opera Elisa e Claudio (1820), but began to feel that Italian opera was getting a little too overripe with bel canto. After some time spent composing only sacred music, Mercadante returned for opera and reset standards with his Il giurnamento (1837). Mercadante helped foster the career of the young Verdi, who quickly eclipsed him, and taught until his death at the Naples Conservatory.