Many composers are disregarded and rather often deliberately neglected because they have not been able to enter international circles. This is what used to happen in the past: one of the most significant examples is the case of Gaspare Spontini, who was born in Majolati on 14 November 1774 and died in his native town on 1852.
Famous opera composer, during his life he became important thanks to his strong-minded and proud personality and to his great passion for opera. Once he had become famous thanks to the opera “La Vestale”, he fought relentlessly to assert himself on the great music “barons” who dominated the scene. Despite his humble birth, he did not give in and did not resign to his unfortunate fate. Glittering Paris witnessed a great success of his on 11 February 1804, when one of his operas was accepted by Téathe Italien. It was not a new opera, since it had been composed four years earlier. Its title was “La finta filosofa” and it recalled the Neapolitan 18th century style. Based on the evidence of the time, we gather that the promising “young musician” was gradually winning over the Parisian audience and critics.
Wagner himself, in his writings, often mentioned the composer’s name, since he often patterned himself on him, especially with respect to his taste for a dense, almost obsessive orchestration. Spontini’s hard, almost stubborn temperament had started to yield fruit. Success was taking shape, preparing his entrance in the big city of Berlin, which was to bring about joys and sorrows. But opposers have always existed, in every field, and Spontini also met with some, the chief one being Count Karl von Bruhl, general superintendent of Berlin Royal Theatres, who did not want lose his position within the musical circles of the period. But coming back to Wagner, he represented an ally for Spontini: Wagner’s respect for Spontini’s “Fernando Cortez” proved a very satisfactory achievement for the Italian composer, who no longer felt lonely in Germany. We are quoting here a passage by Wagner himself, which will enable us to understand the climate in which our composer lived: “... I found that extremely accurate ensemble, full of fire and richly organised, completely new to me (still referring to Spontini and his work). I formed a new opinion about the beauty of great plays (...). This sharp impression continued to act in me effectively, and represented a guideline for me especially in the creation of my work Rienzi”. Strong-minded, strong-willed and virile Spontini was not only a celebrated and respected musician, but he also became renown because of his success with women. Indeed, many noblewomen betrayed their “beloved” husbands, experiencing the thrill of a forbidden choice in the eyes of the aristocracy of the time. The composer of “Agnese”, of “Alcidor” and of other theatre masterpieces had a very intense life, full of strong feelings and tension. Slim, with burning eyes and curly hair, he possessed a charismatic element which involved everybody in subtle fancies. Generosity was also among Spontini’s gifts, and since he was very fond of his native town, he donated the funds required to build a rest home, which still bears his name. This was a token of affection for his fellow citizens, even though life circumstances had led him to other places and situations. His countryman simplicity in any case prevailed over the falsity of aristocratic salons, and as soon as his engagements permitted, he sought refuge in his beloved Majolati to breath an air of simplicity and serenity. Therefore Spontini lived as a foreigner in a foreign land, but he was full of imagination as only an Italian man can be. A positive success that continues, in spite of time. (traduzione Interpres sas-Giussano)