Anna Bon facts for kids

Anna Bon (born 1738 – died after 1769) was an Italian composer and musician. She wrote music during the Classical period.

Her parents were both musicians who traveled a lot. Her father, Girolamo Bon, wrote stories for operas (called librettist) and designed stage sets (a scenographer). Her mother, Rosa Ruvinetti Bon, was a singer.

Life Story of Anna Bon

Anna was born in Bologna, Italy, and was baptized on August 11, 1738. This happened after her parents returned from performing for Anna of Russia in Saint Petersburg.

Early Musical Training

When Anna was four years old, in 1743, she started studying at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice. This was a famous music school. Most students there were orphans, but Anna's family paid for her lessons. This means she was a "tuition-paying pupil."

She learned from Candida della Pietà, who was a "maestra di viola" (a teacher of the viola instrument). Candida herself had been a student at the Pietà.

Life in Bayreuth

By 1756, Anna joined her parents in Bayreuth, Germany. Her parents worked for Margrave Friedrich of Brandenburg Kulmbach. Anna got a new job there as a 'chamber music virtuosa'. This means she was a very skilled musician who played for the court.

At just sixteen years old, she wrote six sonatas for the flute. These were published in Nuremberg in 1756. They were her first published works, known as "Opus 1."

Moving to Esterházy Court

In 1762, Anna's family moved again, this time to the Esterházy court in Eisenstadt. She stayed there until at least 1765.

She dedicated her next set of six sonatas for the harpsichord (Opus 2, published in 1757) to Princess Ernestina Augusta Sophia. She also dedicated her six divertimenti (Opus 3, published in 1759) to Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria. Divertimenti are light, entertaining pieces of music.

Later Life

By 1767, Anna was living in Hildburghausen, Germany. She was married to a singer named Mongeri.

Anna Bon's Music

Anna Bon wrote several pieces of music that are still known today.

Published Works

• Six Chamber Sonatas, Opus 1: These are for transverse flute, violoncello (cello), or harpsichord. They were published in 1756.
• Six Sonatas for Harpsichord, Opus 2: These pieces were written specifically for the harpsichord and were published in 1757.
• Six Divertimenti, Opus 3: These are for two flutes and basso continuo (a bass instrument like a cello or harpsichord that plays the harmony). They were published in 1759.

Other Compositions

• Aria, "Astra coeli": This is a song for a soprano singer, with two violins, a viola, and basso continuo.
• Offertory, "Ardete amore": This piece is for a soprano, two altos, a bass singer, two oboes, two horns, two violins, a viola, and basso continuo.
• Motet, "Eia in preces et veloces": This is a sacred piece for an alto singer, two violins, a viola, and basso continuo.
• Lost Opera: Anna also composed an opera while she was at the Esterházy court, but this work has unfortunately been lost over time.

See also

In Spanish: Anna Bon di Venezia para niños