Boccherini, (Ridolfo) Luigi (1743-1805)

Italian composer and cellist. He was a master of chamber music for string instruments, and was the most important Italian representative of the Viennese classical style, writing in his own distinctive manner. He studied in Rome, Italy, made his mark in Paris, France, in 1768, and was court composer in Prussia and Spain. He composed some 350 instrumental works, an opera, and oratorios.

Boccherini was born in Lucca. His father was a double-bass player, who began teaching his son himself, then sent him to Rome for further study in 1757. On his return to Lucca in 1761 he played cello in the theatre orchestra. With the violinist Manfredi he travelled widely on concert tours in Austria and France. He was particularly successful in Paris 1767-68, where he published his first chamber music. In 1769 he went to Madrid and settled there, being first in the service of the king's brother, the Infante Don Luis, until 1785, when the latter died. In 1787 Boccherini was appointed court composer to Frederick William II of Prussia, who had the exclusive right to his works, but he seems to have maintained his residence in Madrid. After the king's death in 1797 he was apparently without a permanent post, for he spent his last years in increasing poverty, largely owing to inconsiderate treatment by his publishers. He died in Madrid.

Works Oratorios Giuseppe riconosciuto and Gioas, rè di Giuda (about 1765).

Church music Stabat Mater (1781), Mass (1800).

Vocal cantatas, motets, and other pieces; zarzuela La Clementina (1780); concert arias.

Orchestral 26 symphonies; 11 cello concertos (including a pastiche by Grützmacher) and one each for flute, violin, and harpsichord.

Chamber 91 string quartets, 48 string trios, 125 string quintets, 12 piano quintets, 18 quintets for wind and strings, 16 sextets, two octets; 27 violin sonatas, six cello sonatas.