Italo Montemezzi (August 4,[1] 1875 – May 15, 1952) was an Italiancomposer. He is best known for hisoperaL'amore dei tre re (The Love of the Three Kings), once part of the standard repertoire. It is now seldom performed.
Montemezzi was born inVigasio, nearVerona. He studied music at theMilan Conservatory and subsequently taught harmony there for one year.
His operaL’amore dei tre re, written in 1913, launched his career and enabled him to devote himself to composition. His operaLa nave had its world premiere inMilan in 1918. In 1919 he visited theUnited States, conducting the American premiere ofLa nave at theChicago Opera Association on November 18. He lived inCalifornia[2] from 1939 and commemorated Italy's surrender withItalia mia (1944), but later made frequent trips to Italy. He returned permanently in 1949 and died in Vigasio three years later.
Other non-operatic works include thesymphonic poemPaolo e Virginia (afterPaul et Virginie) and the cantataTheSong of Songs.
As a composer, Montemezzi was admired for combining traditional Italian lyricism with aWagnerian approach to the use of the orchestra in opera, with instrumental color influenced by the works ofDebussy.[3]
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