Francesco Caffi

Francesco Caffi (14 June 1778 in Venice – 24 January 1874 in Padua) was a councillor and musicologist.

Life

Caffi was born the son of Michele and Bianca Boncio on 14 June 1778. Caffi initially studied law (the profession of his family) privately with don Benedetto de Luca. Afterward, Caffi decided to dedicate himself to music, studying counterpoint under Matteo Rauzzini, Simon Mayr, and Giuseppe Scatena, who was an Augustinian friar and pupil of Antonio Lotti. He studied harpsichord under Francesco Gardi. While still young, he began composing cantatas, melodrammi, and a few instrumental pieces. Though the young Venetian never made it his profession to compose, it allowed him to expand his musicological studies and integrate himself in the music culture of his hometown.