BOTTESINI, Antonio, an Italian composer and contrabassist, born at Crema, Dec. 24, 1823. He was taught the double bass in Milan by Luigi Rossi, according to the method of Andreoli and Dragonetti, and studied composition under several distinguished masters. When scarcely 23, he was engaged as contrabassist for the Italian opera in Havana, and afterward became director of the company. During the five years of his stay in Havana he paid occasional visits to the United States, where he became famous as a virtuoso, his renown being confirmed by his success on his return to Europe in 1851. In 1853 he visited the United States with M. Jullien, and afterward accompanied Mme. Sontag to Mexico. Subsequently he became director of the orchestra at the Italian opera in Paris, where his opera L'Assedio di Firenze was performed in 1857. In 1863 he produced at Barcelona Marion Delorme, and in 1871 his Ali Baba was performed in London. In 1872 he directed the Italian opera in Cairo.