Amilcare Ponchielli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amilcare Ponchielli
Born	(1834-08-31)31 August 1834 Paderno Fasolaro, Lombardy–Venetia
Died	16 January 1886(1886-01-16) (aged 51) Milan, Italy
Occupation	Composer academic
Spouse(s)	Teresina Brambilla ​ (m. 1874)​

Amilcare Ponchielli (born August 31, 1834 – died January 16, 1886) was a famous Italian composer. He is most known for his amazing opera called La Gioconda. An opera is a play where most of the words are sung instead of spoken. Ponchielli was married to a singer named Teresina Brambilla.

Life and Music of Amilcare Ponchielli

Amilcare Ponchielli was born in a small town called Paderno Fasolaro. This town is near Cremona, Italy. When he was just nine years old, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to study music at the famous Milan Conservatory. By the time he was ten, he had already written his first symphony. A symphony is a long piece of music for an orchestra.

Early Career and First Opera Success

In 1856, Ponchielli wrote his first opera. It was based on a famous Italian novel called The Betrothed. He hoped to become famous as an opera composer.

His early career was a bit tough. He didn't get a teaching job he wanted at the Milan Conservatory. So, he took smaller jobs in different cities. He wrote several operas during this time. At first, none of them were very successful.

Becoming a Bandmaster and Composer

Even though things were difficult, Ponchielli gained a lot of experience. He worked as a bandmaster in cities like Piacenza and Cremona. A bandmaster leads a musical band. He arranged and composed over 200 pieces for wind bands.

One of his important works for band was the first-ever concerto for the euphonium. This is a brass instrument. He also wrote many festive and funeral marches. These pieces showed the pride of the newly united Italy.

Turning Point with I promessi sposi

Things changed for Ponchielli in 1872. A new version of his opera I promessi sposi became a huge hit! This success led to a contract with a big music publisher. He also became more recognized at the Conservatory and at La Scala. La Scala is a very famous opera house in Milan.

The main singer in the new version of his opera was Teresina Brambilla. Ponchielli married her in 1874. They had a son named Annibale, who later became a music critic. His ballet Le due gemelle (1873) also confirmed his growing success.

The Famous Opera: La Gioconda

Ponchielli's most famous opera is La Gioconda. It was first performed in 1876. He worked on it with a writer named Arrigo Boito. This opera includes the very famous ballet called Dance of the Hours. This ballet is often performed on its own. The version of La Gioconda that we know today was first shown in 1880.

Ponchielli's grave at the Monumental Cemetery of Milan, Italy

After La Gioconda, Ponchielli wrote other operas. These included Il figliuol prodigo (1880) and Marion Delorme (1885). While these operas had rich music, they weren't as popular as La Gioconda. However, they greatly influenced younger composers. These included famous names like Giacomo Puccini and Pietro Mascagni.

Teaching and Final Years

In 1881, Ponchielli became the music director at the Bergamo Cathedral. In the same year, he started teaching composition at the Milan Conservatory. Many future famous composers were his students. These included Puccini and Mascagni.

Amilcare Ponchielli died in Milan in 1886 from pneumonia. He was buried in the city's Monumental Cemetery.

Ponchielli's Musical Legacy

A statue of Ponchielli in Cremona, Italy

During his lifetime, Ponchielli was very popular. He also had a big influence on other musicians. He used a larger orchestra and more complex music in his works.

Today, only one of his operas is performed regularly: La Gioconda. This opera has many memorable songs. It includes a strong song for a low female voice called 'Voce de donna o d'angelo'. There's also a great song for a tenor voice called "Cielo e mar".

The opera also features a well-known duet for two male voices. This is called "Enzo Grimaldo, Principe Di Santafior". There's also a dramatic song for a soprano called "Suicidio!".

The ballet Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda is especially famous. Many people know it because it was in Walt Disney's movie Fantasia (1940). It was also used in the funny song "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" by Allan Sherman. You can hear parts of it in many other popular works too!

See also

In Spanish: Amilcare Ponchielli para niños

• List of operas by Amilcare Ponchielli