Luigi Ricci

Luigi Ricci was an Italian composer of the early-to-mid-19th century, best known for his operas and for his collaboration with his younger brother Federico Ricci. Born in Naples on 8 July 1805, he studied at the Conservatory of San-Sebastiano under Giovanni Furno and Niccolò Zingarelli, and composed his first opera L’impresario in angustie in 1823 while still a student. His breakthrough came with Chiara di Rosembergh (1831, Milan, La Scala) and Un’avventura di Scaramuccia (1834), which brought him fame across Europe. In 1835 he began writing operas in partnership with his brother. A later failure (‘Le nozze di Figaro’ at La Scala in 1838) and extravagant lifestyle caused financial difficulties; he accepted a post in Trieste and ceased composing for several years. He returned to opera composition and achieved his greatest success with Crispino e la comare (1850) — often regarded as one of the finest Italian comic operas of that era. In 1859 Ricci fell ill with mental disease, spent his final months in an asylum in Prague where he died on 31 December 1859. Among his children: daughter Lella Ricci (1850-1871) became an opera singer, son Luigi Ricci-Stolz (1852-1906) became a composer.

Ricci also worked as a conductor during his career, notably directing the world premiere of Verdi’s Il corsaro. His appointment in Trieste included serving as Kapellmeister at the San Giusto Cathedral and teaching harpsichord at the Teatro Grande, positions he accepted during a period of financial strain.

His personal life was marked by a complicated romance with the twin sisters Francesca and Ludmila Stolz, both singers and siblings of the renowned Teresa Stolz. Their relationship inspired him to compose La solitaria delle Asturie for them, premiered in Odessa in 1845. After returning to Trieste, he married Ludmila while maintaining ties with Francesca.

Between 1846 and 1850 he composed several additional operas that were well received, and his overall output eventually exceeded thirty operas. His final opera was produced in May 1859, shortly before the onset of his fatal illness. Ricci is buried at the Olšany Cemetery in Prague.

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