DONIZETTI, GAETANO, was born September 25, 1798, at Ber gamo, in Northern Italy. He studied in the Lyceum of that town, and his father having originally destined him for the law, it was some what late before he commenced his musical studies. He received his first instruction at the Musical Institute of Bergamo, of which Simone Mayer was then director. Here he remained three years, and in 1815 removed to Bologna, where his musical education was completed under Pilottl and Mattel. In consequence of some dispute with his father, he entered into the army, and while in garrison with his regiment at Venice In 1818 produced his first opera, 'Enrico di Borgogna.' He continued to write for the theatre, and in 1822 left the army. His earliest pieces are forgotten, or at least are no longer performed, and it was not till 1830, when he produced Anna Boleua' at Milan, that he began to take rank with the higher class of musical composers. In the course of these first twelve years of his career he composed 31 operas. During the fourteen years from 1830 to 1844, when his last opera, ' Catarino Coroaro' was performed, he produced 33 operas, of which several have sunk into oblivion, but others still retain their places on the stages of Italy, Germany, France, and England. Some are especial favourites, and frequently performed. Among these more fortunate productions may be mentioned 'Anna Helena,' Milan, 1830; L'Elisire d'Amore,' Milan, 1832; ' Luerezia Borgia,' Milan, 1833; Marino Faliero; Paris, 1835; Lucia di Lammermoor,' Naples, 1835; 'Belly,' Naples, 1836 ; 'La Fills du Rogiment; Paris, 1840 ; ' La Favorite,' Paris, 1840; 'Linda di Chamouni; Vienna, 1842; 'Don Pasquale,' Paris, 1843; 'Maria di Rohan,' Vienna, 1843. Most of these
later operas, besides his usual grace and facility, exhibit strength, solidity, command of the resources of counterpoint, and skill in instru mentation, much superior to his earlier productions. His artistic we ra were thus manifestly improving and expanding towards the ermination of his musical career. Soon after the performance of his ' Lucia,' which excited great admiration, he was appointed Professor of Counterpoint in the Royal College of Music at Naples, and after the production of Linda' at Vienna, he was named chapel-master and composer to the imperial court. In 1845, while in Paris, symptoms of mental decay, arising chiefly from habits of intemperance, began to show themselves, and he was for some time in a lunatic asylum. In October 1847 he was removed to his native town of Bergamo, where he died on the 8th of April 1848. (Nouvelle Biographic Generale.)