Ottorino Respighi, Italian composer and conductor (b. 1879)

Ottorino Respighi, often pronounced reh-SPEE-ghee (or sometimes rə- in the US), was a prominent Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist whose influence significantly shaped the landscape of Italian music in the early 20th century. Born on July 9, 1879, and passing away on April 18, 1936, Respighi’s compositional breadth was truly remarkable, encompassing a vast array of genres. His works span grand operas, expressive ballets, evocative orchestral suites, intricate choral songs, intimate chamber music, and even meticulous transcriptions of Italian compositions from the 16th to 18th centuries, demonstrating a deep respect for Italy's rich musical heritage. However, it is his celebrated 'Roman Trilogy' of orchestral tone poems that truly cemented his international fame and remain his most beloved and frequently performed pieces: Fountains of Rome (1916), Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928). These vibrant works are renowned for their vivid orchestration, programmatic storytelling, and the way they paint an audible tapestry of Rome's iconic landmarks and daily life.

Respighi's journey into music began in Bologna, where he was born into a family with strong musical and artistic inclinations. His father, a gifted pianist and organist, recognized and actively nurtured young Ottorino's talent from an early age, guiding him through formal tuition in both the violin and piano. By 1891, his prodigious talent led him to enroll at the esteemed Liceo Musicale di Bologna, a crucial period where he honed his skills in violin, viola, and composition. This foundational training was further enriched by a significant, albeit brief, period spent in Russia as a principal violinist at the Russian Imperial Theatre, during which he had the invaluable opportunity to study orchestration with the legendary Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. This encounter, though short, profoundly influenced Respighi's masterful command of orchestral color and texture, a hallmark of his later works.

In 1913, Respighi made the pivotal move to Rome, a city that would become central to his life and artistic output, to take up a prestigious professorship of composition at the Liceo Musicale di Santa Cecilia. During this productive period, he met and married his gifted pupil, the singer Elsa Olivieri-Sangiacomo, who would become an ardent champion of his work and a collaborator throughout his life. By 1923, feeling the pull of wider artistic horizons, Respighi resigned from his full-time professorship to dedicate more time to composing and extensive concert tours. Nevertheless, he maintained a connection to teaching, continuing to impart his knowledge until 1935. His international renown grew steadily, leading him to perform and conduct his own works across various capacities in the United States and South America from 1925 until his untimely death.

Tragically, in late 1935, while immersed in the creation of his opera Lucrezia, Respighi fell seriously ill. He was subsequently diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis, a severe infection of the heart's inner lining. He succumbed to the illness just four months later, on April 18, 1936, at the relatively young age of 56. His devoted wife, Elsa, outlived him by nearly six decades, passing away in 1996. Throughout her long life, she tirelessly dedicated herself to preserving, promoting, and championing her late husband's works and enduring musical legacy. In recent years, conductor and composer Salvatore Di Vittorio has taken on the significant task of completing several of Respighi's unfinished and previously unpublished compositions, bringing new life to works such as the completed Violin Concerto in A major (dating from 1903), which finally received its premiere in 2010, further enriching the composer's celebrated catalogue.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ottorino Respighi

What are Ottorino Respighi's most famous compositions?

Respighi is most renowned for his 'Roman Trilogy' of orchestral tone poems: Fountains of Rome (1916), Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928). These works are celebrated for their vivid descriptions of Roman landscapes and life through music.

Where was Ottorino Respighi born and what was his early musical training like?

He was born in Bologna, Italy, into a musical and artistic family. He received early encouragement from his father and undertook formal tuition in violin and piano. He later studied violin, viola, and composition at the Liceo Musicale di Bologna.

Did Respighi study with any famous composers?

Yes, he had the invaluable opportunity to study orchestration briefly with the acclaimed Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. This experience profoundly influenced Respighi's masterful command of orchestral color and texture.

What was Respighi's connection to the city of Rome?

Rome became a central part of his life and work. He moved there in 1913 to become a professor of composition at the Liceo Musicale di Santa Cecilia, and his most famous works, the 'Roman Trilogy,' are programmatic pieces directly inspired by the city's iconic landmarks and atmosphere.

Who was Elsa Olivieri-Sangiacomo?

Elsa Olivieri-Sangiacomo was Respighi's pupil, a talented singer, and later his devoted wife. After his death, she dedicated almost 60 years to preserving, promoting, and championing her husband's musical legacy until her own passing in 1996.

How did Respighi contribute to Italian music beyond opera?

While Italy was predominantly focused on opera during his time, Respighi was a leading figure in developing instrumental and orchestral music. He expanded the Italian repertoire with his innovative tone poems, ballets, and chamber music, and also played a role in reviving interest in earlier Italian compositions through his transcriptions.