Giovanni Sgambati

Born in Rome, to an Italian father and an English mother, Sgambati, who lost his father early, received his early education at Trevi, in Umbria, where he wrote some church music and obtained experience as a singer and conductor.

The influence and support of Franz Liszt, who was in Rome from 1861, was naturally of great advantage to him, and concerts were given in which Sgambati conducted as well as playing the piano.

He made the acquaintance of Richard Wagner's music for the first time in Munich, where he travelled in Liszt's company.

He also conducted the Italian premieres of more recent works such as Liszt's Dante Symphony and Christus oratorio.

[2] He died in Rome, aged 73. Notable students include pianist and composer Lucia Contini Anselmi and contralto Mary Augusta Wakefield.