Federico Ricci (22 October 1809 – 10 December 1877), was an Italian composer, particularly of operas. Born inNaples, he was the younger brother ofLuigi Ricci, with whom he collaborated on several works.
Federico studied atNaples as had his brother. His first big success was withLa prigione di Edimburgo, one of his best serious works. He stayed with serious subjects for several years, and of theseCorrado d'Altamura was a particular success. However, his last collaboration with his brother, a comedy calledCrispino e la comare, was hailed as the masterpiece of both composers, so Federico devoted himself thereafter entirely to comedy.
After another success closely followed by a major flop in Vienna, Federico took an official job teaching inSt Petersburg and for 16 years he wrote no operas. In 1869 he moved to Paris, and thereUne folie à Rome ran for 77 nights; other French comedies of his — mainly revisions of his own and his brother's earlier works — found some success. He also contributed theRecordare Jesu in theSequentia to theMessa per Rossini. In 1870 for Cremona he created apastiche,La vergine di Kermo, containing music byPedrotti,Cagnoni,Ponchielli,Pacini,Rossi, andMazzucato.
Although he did not have his brother's energy, Federico's scores are judged by some to be more skilfully written than Luigi's: for example, it has been said thatLa prigione di Edimburgo shows a sensitivity towards its subject (from SirWalter Scott'sThe Heart of Midlothian) that is rare among Italian operas of the period. He died inConegliano. His nephewLuigi Ricci-Stolz, also called Luigino (1852–1906), was also a composer.[1]
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