Sylvio Lazzari

Born in Bolzano – then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – , Lazzari came to Paris in 1882 after studying law in Austria.

[2] Encouraged by Ernest Chausson and Franck, Lazzari settled permanently in France and obtained French citizenship in 1896.

He held several official positions in Paris, including president of the Wagner Society (from 1894) and choirmaster at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.

[3] Lazzari's use of cyclic structures was indebted to Franck; he was also heavily influenced by Wagner (especially in his operas) and the impressionists.

His best-known opera, La Lépreuse (first performed in 1912), was highly praised for its musical content, but frequently criticised for its naturalistic libretto.