Antonio Sacchini

This Italian composer wrote approximately forty five operas in both the serious and comic veins. Over half of the operas were serious but his talent for this medium did not readily gain full attention, development or fruition. Sacchini studied with Durante at a Conservatory in Naples becoming Durante's favorite pupil. By 1756 he had presented his first two operas thus acceding to the position of the second master of music at the conservatory (1757). Most of the operas were composed for the cities of Naples and Rome though a number of his operas were presented in London and Paris. After becoming the director of the Ospadeletto Conservatory in Venice in 1768, Sacchini composed a number of oratorios and other sacred works and three operas which were well-received in Germany. He also lived in London for a few years but settled in Paris around 1780. Sacchini's operas were accepted and lauded by Piccinni supporters in Paris but not by Gluck supporters. His most noted opera, "Oedipe a Colone" was emotionally charged with a clear insight into the musical voicing of human emotions through the use of extensive harmonies. ~ Keith Johnson