A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mercadante, Saverio

MERCADANTE, Saverio, born in 1797 [App. p.717 "Correct the date of birth, as the certificate of his baptism bears the date Sept. 17, 1795 (Paloschi)"] at Altamura near Bari, entered at 12 the Collegio di San Sebastiano at Naples, of which Zingarelli was chief, and where he learnt the flute and violin, and became leader in the orchestra. For some unknown reason (the account given by Fétis is absurd) he was suddenly dismissed, and to gain a living attempted composing for the stage. His first work, a cantata for the Teatro del Fondo (1818) was followed by another, 'L'Apoteosi d'Ercole,' produced at San Carlo (1819) with extraordinary success. In the same year he produced his first opera buffa, 'Violenza e costanza,' and after this came several 'opere serie,' of which 'Elisa e Claudio' (Milan 1822 [App. p.717 "1821"]) was the most successful. From this period Mercadante steadily maintained his reputation, and the verdict of Italy in his favour was endorsed by Vienna in 1824. He passed the years 1827 and 28 in Madrid, 29 in Cadiz, and in 31 returned to Naples. In 1833 he became Generali's successor as maestro di capella at the cathedral of Novara. In 1836 he composed and superintended the production of 'I Briganti' in Paris. His next fine opera was 'Il Giuramento' (Milan 1837). In the opera buffa 'I due illustri rivali' [App. p.717 "1838"] he changed his style, marking the accents strongly with the brass instruments. In this respect he set an example which has unfortunately been widely followed, for the Flügel-horn seems to be the favourite instrument of Italian composers of the present day. In 1840 he became director of the Conservatorio of Naples. He was a member of the Institut de France. Though he lost an eye at Novara, he continued to compose by dictation; but he became totally blind in 1862, and died at Naples on Dec. 13 [App. p.717 "Dec. 17"], 1870.

[ F. G. ]