Felice Giardini spent his youth as a violin prodigy in Turin and Milan before establishing himself as a prominent musical figure in eighteenth-century London. His career trajectory spanned from the opera houses of Italy to the stages of Berlin, Paris, and eventually the Russian capital, where his professional activity concluded in the final years of the century.
Early Virtuosity and Training
Born in 1716, Giardini demonstrated early talent that led his father to facilitate his musical education in Milan. He mastered the harpsichord and singing, but specialized in the violin. By age 12, he held positions in theatre orchestras. An early performance incident occurred when he embellished a solo passage written by Niccolò Jommelli with unscripted bravura variations. While the audience reacted positively, Jommelli responded with a physical reprimand, which Giardini later characterized as a significant artistic lesson.
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During the 1750s, Giardini toured extensively through Europe. He eventually settled in England, gaining recognition as a leading performing artist for over a decade. He served as the orchestra leader and director for the Italian Opera in London and directed the orchestra at the London Pantheon. During this period, he collaborated on solo concerts with J.C. Bach. In August 1753, he married Maria Caterina Violante Vistris in Bramham, with George Fox-Lane, later Baron Bingley, providing patronage.
Compositional Output
Giardini composed across various genres, focusing primarily on opera and chamber music. His chamber works synthesized the Style Galant with the classicism associated with the Mannheim school and J.C. Bach, emphasizing soloistic instrumentation. He produced at least 18 trios for violin, viola, and cello. Beyond instrumental music, he composed the tune known as the Italian Hymn, Trinity, or Moscow, which remains in frequent use for liturgical texts such as Come, Thou Almighty King.
Final Years
In 1784, Giardini attempted to manage a theatre in Naples but experienced financial instability. He returned to England in 1793, finding that public memory of his contributions had faded. He subsequently traveled to Russia in hopes of reviving his professional standing. He died in Moscow in 1796.
Fast facts
- Born: 1716, Turin
- Died: 1796, Moscow
- Primary Occupations: Composer, violinist, musician
- Marriage: Maria Caterina Violante Vistris, 1753
- Musical Focus: Opera and chamber music
- Known Composition: Italian Hymn
Questions readers ask
What instruments did Felice Giardini play?
He was a trained singer and harpsichordist who became a renowned virtuoso on the violin.
Did Giardini hold any official musical positions?
He served as the orchestra leader and director of the Italian Opera in London and directed the orchestra at the London Pantheon.
Achievements
- Instruments: violin
- Genres: opera
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