Cimarosa

Cimarosa, Domenico (1749-1801), an Italian operatic composer, educated at Naples. At 22 he had a reputation in all the theatres of Italy, and resided for four years at St. Petersburg as composer to Catherine II. of Russia. After passing some time at different German courts, he became Kapellmeister at Vienna, and finally returned to Italy, and died at Venice while meditating a return to St. Petersburg. Of his works. Il Matrimonio Segreto (1791) is his masterpiece, and ranks very high among light operatic music.