Domenico Cimarosa

Master of the Neapolitan School, Cimarosa composed over eighty operas, including the beloved Il matrimonio segreto.

Chronology: 1749-12-17 – 1801-01-11

Early Foundations in the Neapolitan Style

Domenico Cimarosa began his career as a prominent composer of the Neapolitan School during the Classical period. Although principally based in Naples, his early professional life saw him composing for opera houses across various Italian centers, including Rome, Venice, and Florence.

The Zenith of Operatic Success and Imperial Patronage

Cimarosa achieved significant recognition, notably through his engagement as court composer and conductor to Catherine the Great of Russia between 1787 and 1791. This period marked a high point in his career, during which he composed many of his most successful works, including the celebrated comedy, Il matrimonio segreto.

Exile and Enduring Legacy

In his later years, Cimarosa returned to Naples, where his political involvement led to him backing the losing side in the struggle against the monarchy. This resulted in his imprisonment and subsequent exile, ultimately leading to his death in Venice at the age of 51.

Source: Wikipedia