Deaths on January 15

Enrico Toselli, Italian pianist and composer (b. 1883)

Enrico Toselli, born in Florence on March 13, 1883, and passing away on January 15, 1926, was a multifaceted Italian nobleman, pianist, and composer. Holding the hereditary title of Count of Montignoso, Toselli's life, though relatively short, was marked by both significant musical contributions and a sensational personal history that captivated European society.

His musical journey began in his native Florence, a city renowned for its rich artistic heritage. He pursued rigorous training in the classical tradition, honing his skills under the tutelage of eminent figures of his time. For piano, he studied with Giovanni Sgambati (1841–1914), a distinguished Italian composer and pianist who was a direct pupil of Franz Liszt, thereby connecting Toselli to a celebrated lineage of pianistic virtuosity. His composition studies were guided by Giuseppe Martucci (1856–1909), a pivotal figure in Italian instrumental music known for his efforts to revive non-operatic forms, and Reginaldo Grazzini.

A Flourishing Musical Career

Toselli quickly established himself as a talented concert pianist, gracing stages across the globe. His performance career saw him undertake extensive tours, captivating audiences not only throughout Italy but also in major European capital cities like Paris, London, and Berlin. Beyond Europe, his reputation extended to distant lands, with acclaimed concerts in places as far-reaching as Alexandria, Egypt, and various cities across North America, underscoring his international appeal as a performer.

While his concert performances garnered praise, Enrico Toselli is perhaps most enduringly recognized for his evocative compositions. His magnum opus and most celebrated work remains the Serenata 'Rimpianto' Op.6 No.1, often simply known as 'Serenata Toselli'. This melancholic and romantic salon piece, meaning 'Serenade: Regret' in Italian, resonated deeply with the public and achieved immense popularity, becoming a staple in the classical repertoire and frequently performed for its poignant beauty. Its enduring charm is evidenced by its continued use in various contexts, including film and television scores, long after its creation.

Beyond this iconic serenade, Toselli's compositional output also included works for the stage. He composed two operettas, lighter theatrical productions combining music, dialogue, and often comedic or romantic plots. These include La cattiva Francesca (The Wicked Francesca), which premiered in 1912, and La principessa bizzarra (The Bizarre Princess), staged in 1913. These works showcased his versatility, moving from the intimate lyricism of his serenades to more elaborate narrative musical forms.

The Scandalous Royal Affair: A Marriage that Shocked Europe

Despite his significant musical talents, Enrico Toselli's name became inextricably linked with a sensational scandal that eclipsed his artistic achievements in the public eye. His notoriety largely stemmed from his dramatic elopement and subsequent marriage in 1907 to Archduchess Louise of Austria (1870–1947). This was no ordinary union; Louise was a member of the powerful House of Habsburg-Tuscany and, more notably, the estranged former Crown Princess of Saxony, whose own life had been a whirlwind of royal controversy.

The Archduchess's background was already fraught with scandal long before she met Toselli. Born Archduchess Luise of Austria, Princess of Tuscany, she had married Frederick Augustus, then Crown Prince of Saxony, in 1891. Their marriage was tumultuous, marked by Louise's unconventional spirit and a desire for freedom that clashed with the rigid protocols of the Saxon court. In 1902, in a highly publicized and unprecedented move for a royal, she dramatically deserted her husband and four children while pregnant with her fifth child. This act, fueled by an alleged affair with her children's French tutor, André Giron, and a desire to escape the suffocating court life, led to her scandalous divorce from Frederick Augustus in 1903.

The timing of her subsequent marriage to Toselli added another layer of intrigue: her former husband, Frederick Augustus, had ascended to the throne as King Frederick Augustus III of Saxony in 1904, making Louise's previous actions and her new union with a non-royal count even more shocking to the European monarchies and the public. The disparity in their social standing – a count of minor nobility marrying a former Crown Princess of one of Europe's oldest royal houses – was a major topic of discussion and contributed immensely to Toselli's fame, albeit for reasons largely unrelated to his artistic prowess.

Marriage, Memoirs, and Untimely Demise

Despite the sensational beginning, Enrico Toselli's marriage to Archduchess Louise proved to be short-lived. The union, which had captured international headlines, ultimately dissolved in divorce in 1912, after just five years. From this high-profile marriage, the couple had one son, Carlo Emanuele Toselli, born on May 7, 1908, who lived until 1969.

Following the highly publicized divorce, Enrico Toselli candidly chronicled his experiences in a tell-all memoir. Titled Mari d’altesse: 4 ans de mariage avec Louise de Toscane, ex-princesse de Saxe (Husband of a Highness: 4 Years of Marriage with Louise of Tuscany, Former Princess of Saxony), the book was published in French. This publication offered a personal, albeit likely subjective, account of his tumultuous marriage to royalty, further fueling public fascination with the private lives of European aristocrats and Toselli himself.

Tragically, Enrico Toselli's life was cut short. He passed away on January 15, 1926, at the relatively young age of 43, succumbing to consumption, the common term for tuberculosis. His untimely death marked the end of a life that, while artistically productive, remained largely overshadowed by the dramatic narratives of his personal connections to European royalty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Enrico Toselli

Who was Enrico Toselli?

Enrico Toselli (1883–1926) was an Italian Count, concert pianist, and composer, primarily remembered for his popular composition Serenata 'Rimpianto' and his scandalous marriage to Archduchess Louise of Austria, the former Crown Princess of Saxony.

What is Enrico Toselli's most famous composition?

His most renowned work is the beautiful and melancholic Serenata 'Rimpianto' Op.6 No.1, often simply called 'Serenata Toselli'. This piece gained immense popularity and remains his most enduring musical legacy.

Why was Enrico Toselli's marriage considered scandalous?

Toselli's marriage in 1907 to Archduchess Louise of Austria was scandalous because she was a prominent member of the Habsburg royal family and the recently divorced former Crown Princess of Saxony, having sensationally deserted her royal husband and family just years prior. The union of a non-royal count with such a high-ranking ex-royal captured immense public attention.

Did Enrico Toselli write any other musical works?

Yes, in addition to his famous serenade, Toselli also composed two operettas: La cattiva Francesca (1912) and La principessa bizzarra (1913). He also performed extensively as a concert pianist internationally.

When and how did Enrico Toselli die?

Enrico Toselli died on January 15, 1926, at the relatively young age of 43. The cause of his death was consumption, now known as tuberculosis.