Paolo Tosti facts for kids

Portrait of Francesco Paolo Tosti by Carlo De Marchi

Sir Francesco Paolo Tosti was a famous Italian composer and music teacher. He lived from 1846 to 1916. He was born in Ortona, Italy, and passed away in Rome.

Life Story of Francesco Paolo Tosti

Francesco Paolo Tosti started learning music in his hometown, Ortona, Italy. He also studied at a music school (conservatory) in Naples. When he was eleven, he went to the Royal College of San Pietro a Majella.

He learned violin and how to compose music from Saverio Mercadante. Mercadante was so impressed that he made Tosti a student teacher. This gave him a small income.

Tosti got sick and had to go back home to Ortona. He stayed in bed for many months. During this time, he wrote several songs. He tried to get them published, but they were all turned down.

After he got better, Tosti moved to Ancona. He was very poor there and sometimes only ate oranges and old bread. Later, he traveled to Rome, where things got better for him. He met a kind musician named Giovanni Sgambati, who helped him.

Sgambati arranged for Tosti to perform a concert. Princess Margherita of Savoy was there. She later became the Queen of Italy. She was so impressed by Tosti's music that she made him her singing teacher. She also put him in charge of the Musical Archives at the Court.

In 1875, Tosti went to London, England. He made many important friends who helped him meet people in high society. Tosti became very popular in fancy homes and parties. In 1880, he became the singing teacher for the British Royal Family.

His fame as a composer grew quickly in England. One of his songs, For Ever and For Ever, became very popular overnight. Everyone wanted his music. By 1885, he was the most popular songwriter in England. His publishers paid him a lot of money to write twelve songs each year.

In 1894, Tosti started teaching at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1906, he became a British citizen. Two years later, his friend, King Edward VII, made him a knight. A special plaque was placed on his old home in London in 1996 to remember him.

In 1913, Tosti went back to Italy. He spent his last years there and died in Rome on December 2, 1916.

Tosti's Music and Famous Works

Tosti is best known for his light and expressive songs. These songs have natural, easy-to-sing melodies and a sweet, gentle feeling. He also created special collections of Italian folk songs called Canti popolari Abruzzesi.

His music style became very popular during the Belle Époque period. It is often called salon music, which means music played in people's homes for entertainment. However, some of his folk songs, especially in Canti popolari Abruzzesi, show he could write more serious music too.

Some of his most famous songs include "Serenata," "Good-bye!" (which is also sung in Italian as "Addio"), and the popular Neapolitan song, "Marechiare." The words for "Marechiare" were written by the famous poet, Salvatore Di Giacomo. Other popular songs are "Malia," "Ancora," and "Non t'amo piu."

Tosti wrote songs that were perfect for singers. He encouraged opera singers to add their own style and decorations to his music. Many famous classical singers have performed and recorded Tosti's songs. Even though he wrote for opera singers, Tosti never composed an opera himself.

Famous recordings of his songs include:

• Alessandro Moreschi singing "Ideale"
• Mattia Battistini singing "Ancora"
• Nellie Melba singing "Mattinata"
• Enrico Caruso singing "A vuchella" and "L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra"

List of Tosti's Songs

Images for kids

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  "For ever and for ever". A funny drawing by Ape from Vanity Fair in 1885.

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  Francesco Paolo Tosti

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  Paolo Tosti (before 1890)

See also

In Spanish: Francesco Paolo Tosti para niños