Isouard, Nicolò (1775-1818)

Maltese composer of French descent. Educated at a military academy in Paris, he had to leave France at the Revolution, and after a time in Malta studied music in Palermo and in Naples, Italy, under Sala and Guglielmi. He made his debut as an opera composer in Florence with L'avviso ai maritati in 1794. The following year he was appointed organist to the Order of St John of Malta in Valetta, and later became maestro di cappella there. Leaving Malta in 1799 he settled in Paris, where he produced many operas and also appeared as a pianist.

Works Opera over 40, including L'avviso ai maritati (1794), Artaserse (1794), Le Tonnelier (1801), Michel-Ange (1802), Cendrillon (1810), Le Billet de loterie (1811), Joconde, Jeannot et Colin, and Aladin ou La Lampe merveilleuse (1822).

Other Masses, motets, cantatas, and other vocal works.