A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Catalani, Alfredo

CATALANI, Alfredo, born at Lucca, June 19, 1854, studied at first with his father, the organist of the church of S. Frediano in that city. At the age of fourteen he wrote a mass which was sung in the cathedral. At seventeen he went to the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied in Bazin's class. Returning to Italy, he studied for two years at the Milan Conservatorio, at the theatre of which his first essay at dramatic composition, an 'Egloga' in one act, 'La Falce,' was produced in the summer of 1875. On Jan. 31, 1880, his grand four-act opera, 'Elda' (words by D'Ormeville), was brought out at Turin; on March 17, 1883, a similar work, 'Dejanice,' in four acts (libretto by Zanardini), was given at the Scala at Milan; in 1885 a symphonic poem for orchestra, 'Ero e Leandro,' attained considerable success; and 'Edmea,' a three-act opera (libretto by Ghislanzoni), was produced at the Scala, Feb. 27, 1886. He has lately completed a new opera, 'Loreley.' He stands in the foremost rank of the younger Italian composers.

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