Luigi Ricci (composer)

He then composed three more operas on his own, which were well received, although his greatest success of these years was actually Crispino e la comare, his last collaboration with his brother, of which he wrote the greater part.

Comedy was Ricci's strong suit, and though not quite reaching the level of Donizetti (whom he greatly admired), Crispino is generally considered one of the best Italian comic operas of the period.

His conducting credits include the world premiere of Verdi's Il corsaro.

In 1859, shortly after the production of his last opera, Ricci succumbed to mental illness, and he ended his life in a hospital in Prague.

His daughter with Ludmila, Lella Ricci (1850–71), was an opera singer, and his son with Francesca, Luigi Ricci-Stolz (1852–1906), was a composer, too.