Carlo Ignazio Monza

Carlo Monza (* 1735 in Milan, † December 9, 1801 ) was an Italian composer, organist and singer.

Life

In his hometown of Milan Carlo Monza one of the most famous and popular composer was in the second half of the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, there are from the time before the performance of his first opera Olimpiade few references to him. Monza was probably a pupil of Giovanni Battista Sammartini. He had two appointments, the first in 1768, as Monza by Sammartini's intercession had the post of organist at the court of the Duke of Milan, the second 1775 Sammartini's death: That of the ducal " Maestro di capella". At this time, Monza had already established itself as a major force in the Milan opera life. Charles Burney called him in 1770 as one of the best composers for the Milan stage. In 1778 he obtained the post of Kapellmeister at the Cathedral of Milan. Apart from three works that he produced in the mid- 1780s years, he ended his career as an opera singer in favor of the exercise of church music. In the 1780s Monza has published three collections of instrumental music, including his six String Quartets Op.2.

Most of his more than 20 operas have been preserved until today, almost unusual for a composer from the 18th century, while most of his sacred music is considered lost. Nevertheless, more than 200 works are in the archives of Milan's Cathedral. His instrumental compositions consist of several symphonies and overtures, chamber music and music for keyboard instruments.

Reception

In 2001, the conductor and violinist Fabio Biondi Monza's Sinfonia " La Tempesta di Mare " led to that the overture was originally for his opera " Iphégenia in Tauride " (1784 ); one of the few instrumental works. The Sinfonia shows strikingly dramatic qualities associated with the Sturm und Drang elements of the 18th century.

In addition to works by Domenico Gallo and Fortunato Chelleri Igor Stravinsky related melodies of Carlo Monza for his Pulcinella Suite.

Carlo Monza is sometimes confused with the born about 1680 Milanese composer Carlo Ignazio Monza.