Though Generali began his musical career with sacred music he eventually composed 54 operas. Other genres included cantatas, masses, requiems, et cetera. "Pamela nubile" was his first celebrated opera in 1804. He did not compose his first serious opera, "Attila," until 1812. One of his most critically accepted and popular operas was "I baccanali di Roma" (1816) and shortly thereafter he accepted a position in Barcelona as the director of the Teatro Santa Cruz. By 1819 he was in Paris and 1821-23 in Naples. Later, while in Palermo, he taught Ricci and by 1827 he had settled in northern Italy as the master of the chapel at Novara Cathedral. The positive characteristics of his operas can be described as lyrically superior and rhythmically sound. Unfortunately the operas foundation had no formidable material though they were arranged well for the orchestra. Generali would compose in an haphazard and lethargic fashion finishing pieces during practice. ~ Keith Johnson
