Matteo Fischetti

Matteo Fischetti (28 February 1830 – December 1887) was an Italian pianist and composer active in Naples.

Life and career

Born in Martina Franca, Fischetti studied piano from the age of six in his native city. He was then sent to Naples to study piano under Michele Cerimele and composition under a number of teachers including Giovanni Moretti and Giuseppe Lillo. He composed over 200 pieces of instrumental and vocal music as well as three operas, all of which premiered in Naples.

Fischetti's most popular opera was Aida di Scafati (Aida of Scafati), a parody of Verdi's Aida. It was performed over 100 times in Naples and revived in other Italian cities for many years. It was given its first performance in modern times in October 2014 in a production organized by the Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella. In his later years Fischetti also taught piano and composition. He died in Naples at the age of 57.

Operas Aida di Scafati (comic opera in a prologue and three acts); libretto by Enrico Campanelli; premiered Teatro Fenice, Naples, 11 June 1873 La sorrentina (comic opera in three acts); libretto by Ernesto La Pegna; premiered Teatro Fenice, Naples, 6 September 1873 Un'altra figlia di Madama Angot (comic opera in three acts); libretto by Enrico Campanelli; premiered Teatro Mercadante, Naples, 17 May 1874