Domenico Foroni
Encyclopedia
Domenico Foroni was an Italian composer
, conductor
, and music educator. He was born in Valeggio sul Mincio
into a family of landowners. On 7 November 1818 he married Teresa Zovetto with whom he had five children, two of whom became famous: the opera
tic soprano
Antonietta Foroni-Conti (1822-187?) and the composer and conductor Jacopo Foroni (1825–1858). In 1818 he was appointed to the dual position of director and principal conductor of the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona
, a position he held for over 25 years. He was also highly active as a teacher of singing and music composition in that city. Among his notable pupils were Gottardo Aldighieri
, Paolo Bombardi, Domenico Conti, Carlo Pedrotti
, Alessandro Sala
, Maria Spezia-Aldighieri
, and his children. Most of his compositional output was sacred music, the majority of which was written for services at the Verona Cathedral
. Most of his music is now lost, but copies of his Miserere
and Messe
still exist
In 1848 Foroni participated actively in the First Italian War of Independence
as a member of the secret committee of Veronese patriots. On three occasions he provided the Piedmontese minister of war a detailed plan for the taking the city of Verona, but the negligence and incompetence of Charles Albert of Sardinia
's generals and other staff members led to their failure on acting upon the intelligence he provided. Ultimately the first war of independence ended in a stalemate. He died in Verona in 1853.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, and music educator. He was born in Valeggio sul Mincio
Valeggio sul Mincio
Valeggio sul Mincio is a comune in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 km west of Venice and about 25 km southwest of Verona. It is crossed by the Mincio river....
into a family of landowners. On 7 November 1818 he married Teresa Zovetto with whom he had five children, two of whom became famous: the opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
tic soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Antonietta Foroni-Conti (1822-187?) and the composer and conductor Jacopo Foroni (1825–1858). In 1818 he was appointed to the dual position of director and principal conductor of the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
, a position he held for over 25 years. He was also highly active as a teacher of singing and music composition in that city. Among his notable pupils were Gottardo Aldighieri
Gottardo Aldighieri
Gottardo Aldighieri was an Italian operatic baritone who had a major opera career in Italy from 1858-1885. He possessed a powerful and beautiful voice and appeared on the stages of most of Italy's great opera houses. He sang a broad repertoire which encompassed works by Italian, French, and German...
, Paolo Bombardi, Domenico Conti, Carlo Pedrotti
Carlo Pedrotti
Carlo Pedrotti was an Italian conductor, administrator and composer, principally of opera. An associate of Giuseppe Verdi's, he also taught two internationally renowned Italian operatic tenors, Francesco Tamagno and Alessandro Bonci.-Early life:Pedrotti was born in Verona, where he studied music...
, Alessandro Sala
Alessandro Sala
Alessandro Sala was an Italian composer, organist, and pianist. Born in Valeggio sul Mincio, at a young age he was organist at the parish in his hometown. He was mentored in music by Domenico Foroni...
, Maria Spezia-Aldighieri
Maria Spezia-Aldighieri
Maria Spezia-Aldighieri was an Italian operatic soprano who had an active international career from 1849 up into the 1870s. She excelled in the coloratura soprano repertoire and was particularly admired for her portrayals in the operas of Giuseppe Verdi...
, and his children. Most of his compositional output was sacred music, the majority of which was written for services at the Verona Cathedral
Verona Cathedral
Verona Cathedral is a church in Verona, northern Italy.It was erected after two Palaeo-Christian churches on the same site had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1117. Built in Romanesque style, the cathedral was consecrated on September 13, 1187...
. Most of his music is now lost, but copies of his Miserere
Psalm 51
Psalm 51 , traditionally referred to as the Miserere, its Latin incipit, is one of the Penitential Psalms. It begins: Have mercy on me, O God....
and Messe
Mass (music)
The Mass, a form of sacred musical composition, is a choral composition that sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy to music...
still exist
In 1848 Foroni participated actively in the First Italian War of Independence
First Italian War of Independence
The First Italian War of Independence was fought in 1848 between the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Austrian Empire. The war saw main battles at Custoza and Novara in which the Austrians under Radetzky managed to defeat the Piedmontese....
as a member of the secret committee of Veronese patriots. On three occasions he provided the Piedmontese minister of war a detailed plan for the taking the city of Verona, but the negligence and incompetence of Charles Albert of Sardinia
Charles Albert of Sardinia
Charles Albert was the King of Piedmont-Sardinia from 1831 to 1849. He succeeded his distant cousin Charles Felix, and his name is bound with the first Italian statute and the First War of Independence...
's generals and other staff members led to their failure on acting upon the intelligence he provided. Ultimately the first war of independence ended in a stalemate. He died in Verona in 1853.