A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ponchielli, Amilcare
PONCHIELLI, Amilcare, was born at Paderno Fasolaro, Cremona, Sept. 1, 1834. In Nov. 1843 he entered the Conservatorio of Milan, and remained there till Sept. 1854. Two years afterwards, on Aug. 30, 1856, he was able to produce at the Concordia at Cremona his first opera, 'I promessi Sposi.' His next were 'La Savojarda,' Cremona, Jan. 19, 1861; 'Roderico,' Piacenza, 1864; and 'La Stella del Monte,' in 1867. Hitherto Signor Ponchielli's reputation had been confined to the provinces; but in 1872 he was fortunate enough to find an opportunity of coming before the general public at the opening of the New Theatre 'Dal Verme' at Milan, where his 'Promessi Sposi' was performed Dec. 5. He rewrote a considerable portion of the opera for the occasion, and its success was immediate and complete. The managers of the theatre of 'La Scala' at Milan at once commissioned him to write a ballet, 'Le due Gemelle,' which was produced there Feb. 1873, received with frantic enthusiasm, and immediately published (Ricordi). This was followed by a ballet, 'Clarina' (Dal Verme, Sept. 1873); a ('Scherzo' or comedy, 'Il parlatore eterno' 'Lecco, Oct. 18, 1873); and a piece in 3 acts, 'I Lituani,' given with immense success at the Scala, March 7, 1874. In the following year he wrote a cantata for the reception of the remains of Donizetti and Simone Mayr at Bergamo, a work of some extent and importance, which was performed there Sept. 13, 1875. On April 8, 1876, he produced a new opera at the Scala called 'Gioconda,' with the same success as before; and on Nov. 17, 1877, he gave at the 'Dal Verme,' the scene of his first triumph, a 3-act piece called 'Lina,' which was a réchauffé of his early opera 'La Savojarda,' and does not appear to have pleased. His last opera. 'Il Figliuol prodigo,' was produced at the Scala, Dec. 26, 1880, with astonishing success.
Signor Ponchielli is married to Teresina Brambilla, a singer, and a member of the musical family of that name. He enjoys a position in Italy second only to Verdi, whose successor he is universally regarded as being. Out of Italy his works have as yet hardly begun to penetrate. In England, the 'Danze delle Ore,' some brilliant and elegant ballet music from his 'Gioconda,' played at the Crystal Palace, Oct. 25, 1879, and a selection from 'Le due Gemelle,' also played at the Crystal Palace, Nov. 5, 1880, are probably the only productions of his that have been heard in public.
The above notice is indebted to Paloschi's 'Annuario' and Pougin's Supplement to Fétis.
[App. p.750 "Add that 'La Gioconda' was produced with success at Covent Garden, May 31, 1883, and that the composer died Jan. 16, 1886. Among his last compositions is a hymn in memory of Garibaldi, performed in Sept. 1882. His last work of all was an opera in 3 acts, 'Marion Delorme,' produced at the Scala, March 17, 1885. In April, 1881, Mr. Carl Rosa produced his 'Promessi Sposi' at Birmingham."]