Costa

Costa, Sir Michael (1810-1884), musical conductor and composer, born at Naples, and educated at the Academy there. He composed from 1825-29, and coming to England composed a ballet, Kenilworth, in 1831. In 1832 he became conductor at the King's theatre, and later to Covent Garden, the Philharmonic Society, and the Sacred Harmonic Society. In 1855 he produced the oratorio Eli at Birmingham, where, too, he produced Naaman in 1864. From 1857-77 he conducted at the Handel Festivals, and in 1871 he became director of Her Majesty's opera. He was knighted in 1869. Besides his oratorios and other works, he has composed some operas; but it is as a conductor that he is chiefly known.