A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ferrari, Giacomo

FERRARI, Giacomo Gottfredo, a cultivated and versatile musician, son of a merchant at Roveredo, born there 1759. He learned the pianoforte at Verona, and the flute, violin, oboe, and double-bass at Roveredo, and studied theory under Pater Marianus Stecher at the convent of Mariaberg near Chur. After his father's death he accompanied Prince Lichtenstein to Rome and Naples, and studied for two years and a half under Latilla at Paisiello's recommendation. Here also he made the acquaintance of M. Campan, Marie Antoinette's master of the household, and went with him to Paris, where he was appointed accompanyist to the new Théâtre Feydeau. In 1793 the company was dispersed, and Ferrari shortly afterwards left France. Having travelled for some time he finally settled in London, where he composed a very large number of works, including 4 operas and 2 ballets. In 1804 he married Miss Henry, a well-known pianist. From 1809 to 1812 he suffered from loss of sight. In 1814 he went to Italy with Broadwood the pianoforte-maker, and visited Naples, Venice, etc., returning in 1816. He died in London Dec. 1842. He was an active teacher of singing, and published a 'Treatise on Singing* in 2 vols., of which a French translation appeared in 1827. His 'Studio di musica pratica e teorica' (London) is a useful treatise. Two of his French songs, 'Qu'il faudrait de philosophie' and 'Quand l'amour nacquit à Cythère,' were extremely popular in their day. His acquaintance with almost every contemporary musician of importance gives a historical value to his book 'Anedotti ... occorsi nella vita di G. G. Ferrari,' 2 vols. London, 1830. Besides the operas, ballets, and songs already named, Ferrari composed an extraordinary quantity of music for the voice, pianoforte, flute, and harp.

[ F. G. ]