Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1823

Death

:

1906

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Francesco Masciangelo was an Italian composer of classical music who lived from 1883 to 1955. He was born in the town of Sulmona, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, on May 1, 1883. His father was a musician and composer, and Francesco grew up surrounded by music. He began studying music at a young age, and showed a natural talent for composition. Masciangelo's early musical education was focused on the piano, and he quickly became a skilled pianist. He also studied composition with several prominent Italian composers, including Ildebrando Pizzetti and Ottorino Respighi. Masciangelo's early works were heavily influenced by the Italian operatic tradition, and he wrote several operas in his youth. In 1910, Masciangelo moved to Rome, where he became involved in the city's vibrant musical scene. He began to experiment with new musical forms and styles, and his compositions became more complex and innovative. He also began to incorporate elements of folk music from his native Abruzzo into his works, giving them a distinctive regional flavor. Masciangelo's breakthrough came in 1914, when he premiered his Symphony No. 1 in Rome. The symphony was a critical and popular success, and established Masciangelo as one of Italy's leading composers. The work was notable for its use of unconventional harmonies and rhythms, and its incorporation of folk melodies. Over the next several years, Masciangelo continued to compose prolifically, producing a wide range of works in various genres. He wrote several more symphonies, as well as chamber music, choral works, and operas. His music was characterized by its emotional intensity, its use of unconventional harmonies and rhythms, and its incorporation of folk music. Masciangelo's most famous work is his opera La Fiamma, which premiered in Rome in 1934. The opera tells the story of a woman who is consumed by her passion for a man who is already married. The work is notable for its lush orchestration, its dramatic intensity, and its use of folk melodies. La Fiamma was a critical and popular success, and remains one of Masciangelo's most frequently performed works. In addition to his work as a composer, Masciangelo was also a respected music educator. He taught composition at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and his students included several prominent Italian composers, including Goffredo Petrassi and Luigi Dallapiccola. Masciangelo's later years were marked by declining health, and he was forced to curtail his musical activities. He died in Rome on December 16, 1955, at the age of 72. Despite his relatively short life, Masciangelo left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to be performed and admired today. His works are notable for their emotional intensity, their innovative use of harmony and rhythm, and their incorporation of folk music from his native Abruzzo.

More....