JOMELLI, NICOLO, one of the few celebrated composers of the early part of the last century, whose works justify the eueomiums bestowed on them, was born in 1714, nt Averea, according to Mattei at Avellino, says Burney—both places being near Naples. He was initiated in music by the Canon Muzzillo, and afterwards studied at one of the Neapolitan conservatories, first under Fee, then as the pupil of Leo, confessing himself chiefly indebted to the latter for having inspired him with a true feeling for the art. Subsequently however, when he turned his attention to sacred music, he derived considerable improvement in the more elaborate branches of composition by his iutercourse with the learned Padre Martini.
Jomelli produced his first opera at Naples, when only twenty-three years of age; and so speedily acquired fame, that in 1740 he was summoned to Rome, where he composed two operas, and was warmly patronised by the Cardinal Duke of York. Next year he proceeded to Bologna, and brought out his Ezio.' He then returned to the papal capital, and produced one of his finest wcrks, Didone.' This led to his being invited to Venice, at that time the great theatre for the display of musical excellence, where his 'Merope' for the Teatre Fenice, and a Laudate' for the church of Santo Marco, well sustained his reputation. The failure of his Armida,' in the followiug year, at Rome, determined him to visit Germany, and at Vienna he formed an acquaintance with Metastasio, which ripened into a friendship of the closest kind, that death only terminated. To the enlightened conver sation and judicious criticisms of the Imperial poet he always confessed his obligations, and ascribed much of the success of his later produc tions. He set the Achille in Sciro,' and got up afresh the Didoue,' of his illustrious friend, both of which were received by the Germans with enthusiasm.
Metastasio, speaking of Jomelli, in several letters, says, "He is of a spherical figure, pacific disposition, with an engaging countenance, most pleasing manners, and excellent morals He is the beat composer for words of whom I have any knowledge If ever you should sea him, you will be attached to him; he is certainly the most amiable gourmand that ever existed." At Vienna Jomelli remained two years, where he devoted no incon siderable portion of his time to the empress Maria Theresa, to whom ho gave instructions in music. He was afterwards recalled to Rome,
and there produced several operas, also his famous oratorio 'La Passion.' The Duke of Wurttemberg now prevailed on him to visit Stutgardt, in which city he resided nearly twenty years, and composed an incredible number of Italian operas, most of them however now forgotten; but his 'Mims pro Defunctis,' or 'Requiem,' there produced, will remain as a monument of his genius. When the Duke of tenaberg was obliged to reduce his establishment, Jouselli went to Neples, where the ill success of two new operas operated eo powerfully on his sensitive mind. that an attack of paralysis was the oonsequence. From this however he sufficiently recovered to compose a Cantata and a ' Miserere,' the latter being by many considered the finest of his work.. lie died at Naples, in 1771.
Jornelli has been not unaptly called the ' OlUek of Italy.' Ile pos vetoed the deep feeling and vigour that characterised the Gvenan composer, and is nearly as Hell in accompaniments. Indeed in his admirable sons, Berenice, me eel In the serious opera of 'Ludo Vero,' he not only left at an unmeaeurable distance all former and contemporary composers, but gave birth to a work which In its way has hardly yet been surpassed, if ever equalled. Ills Chaconne,' though not of so high an order of composition as some of the above named work., has by its great and long-continued popularity given proof of its originality and sterling merit.
• IIENItI, historian appointed by Napoleon I. to write the military records of his reign, wee born Maroh 6, 1779,-at Payerne, In the Pays de Vaud, of which canton his father war, for several years, principal magistrate. In very early life he was placed in a merchant's office, and iu that employment he continued for eight or nine yenra. In 1795, he was enrolled in the Swiss militia, and he attained the lank of lieutenant-colonel before he had completed his twentieth year. At this time, the sudden Invasion of Switzerland, and its speedy subjugation by Menard and Brune, deprived him of his rank iu the army, as well as of his civil office, and, having to begin his career again, he proceeded to Paris, in 1799, in quest of a new vocation.