Nicola Fago

Nicola Fago, also known as Francesco Nicola Fago and nicknamed "il Tarantino," was an Italian composer born on February 26, 1677, in Taranto in the Kingdom of Naples. He came from the family of Cataldo Fago and Giustina Tursi. His early musical training took place at the Conservatory of Santa Maria della Pietà dei Turchini in Naples, where he studied from 1693 to 1695 under the guidance of Francesco Provenzale. His talent and dedication quickly brought him into the professional sphere, and in 1697 he was appointed as an assistant teacher at the same conservatory.

Fago’s career continued to advance, and in 1705 he secured the position of primo maestro of counterpoint and composition, a post he held until 1740. Between 1704 and 1708 he also worked at the Conservatorio Sant'Onofrio, further expanding his influence within Naples’ musical institutions. Alongside his teaching career, in 1709 he was elected chapel master of the Royal Treasury of Saint Januarius, a prestigious position he maintained until 1731. Later, in 1736, he became chapel master at the Church of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli. His influence as a pedagogue was significant, and he trained many prominent composers, including Nicola Sala, Leonardo Leo, Niccolò Jommelli, Giuseppe De Majo, Michele Falco, Pasquale Cafaro, Carmine Giordano, Francesco Feo, and his own son Lorenzo.

On November 23, 1701, Fago married Caterina Speranza Grimaldi, the sister of the famous opera castrato singer Nicolo Grimaldi, known as Cavalier Nicolino. The marriage produced eleven children between 1704 and 1720, although only six survived infancy. His son Lorenzo Fago followed in his footsteps and became both a composer and a teacher at the Conservatory of Santa Maria della Pietà dei Turchini, continuing the family’s musical legacy.

Fago’s creative output extended beyond his pedagogical work and included a number of stage compositions and sacred works. Among the pieces attributed to him are Cassandra Indovina from 1711, the Magnificat for ten voices and instruments, the Stabat Mater for four voices and a quartet, Il Faraone Sommerso from 1709, the commedia per musica Le fenzejune abbendurate from 1710, La Cianna from 1711, Lo Masillo from 1712, and the pastoral drama La Dafne from 1714, which reflect the breadth of his contribution to Baroque music.

Nicola Fago died in Naples on February 18, 1745. He was buried in the Church of the Congregation of Saint Carlo, where numerous clergy and benefactors attended his funeral, a reflection of the respect he had earned during his lifetime.

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