Salvatore Fighera

Salvatore Fighera (1771? – 5 May 1837) was an Italian composer of both sacred and secular music. Born in Gravina in Puglia, he completed his musical studies at the Conservatorio di Sant'Onofrio a Capuana in Naples and spent several years in Milan after leaving the conservatory in 1783. On his return to Naples he served as the maestro di cappella of several churches, most notably the Santuario di San Sebastiano Martire, a post he held until his death.

Life and works Fighera was born in Gravina in Puglia, a town near Bari in southern Italy, but the year of his birth remains uncertain. No documents have been found in the town's archives recording his date of birth.

After leaving the conservatory in 1783, Fighera spent time in Milan where his opera buffa La sorpresa premiered at the Teatro della Canobbiana in 1800. Parts of the opera had also been performed earlier at La Scala. In Milan he also composed two theatrical cantatas: La finta istoria and Lo sdegno e la pace. On his return to Naples he served as the maestro di cappella of several churches, most notably at the Santuario di San Sebastiano Martire, a post he held until his death. The sacred music he composed during this period included a mass for the funeral of Maria Carolina of Austria, two masses for the beatification and canonization of Alphonsus Liguori performed in Nocera dei Pagani, an oratorio for the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows, and a Miserere for four voices and orchestra. The Miserere was performed every year during Holy Week by Fighera's pupils and, according to Florimo, was Fighera's favourite composition.