Italy / Italia

Remembering Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945)

Pity the composer who has the misfortune to produce a work whose popularity overshadows the remainder of his or her creative output. Take young Pietro Mascagni as an example. In an attempt to win some prize money, feed his family and gain the attention of publishers, he put his beloved magnum opus, Guglielmo Ratcliff, on hold in order to throw together an entry for a one-act opera competition. As a result, he not only became famous overnight, but also created the verismo movement in music. Within a few years, he became one of the wealthiest composers in the world.

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