Malipiero, Gian Francesco (1882–1973)

Italian composer and editor of Monteverdi and Vivaldi. His own works, influenced by Stravinsky and Debussy, include operas in a neoclassical style, based on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar 1934–35 and Antony and Cleopatra 1936–37.

Malipiero was born Venice. In 1898 he began studying violin at the Vienna Conservatory, but on failing an examination turned to composition, returning to Venice in 1899. He graduated from the Bologna Liceo Musicale in 1904. In 1913 he went to Paris, where he attended the first performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. He was professor of composition at Parma University 1921–23 and director of the Liceo Musicale Benedetto Marcello, Venice 1939–53. He edited the complete edition of Monteverdi's works, as well as many of Vivaldi's.

Works Stage operas Sette canzoni (1919), Torneo notturno (1931), La favola del figlio cambiato (libretto by Pirandello, 1934), Ecuba, I capricci di Callot (after E T A Hoffmann, 1941), Venere Prigionera (1955), Uno dei dieci (1971); ballet Pantea (1919).

Oratorios San Francesco d'Assisi, La cena, La passione (1935); eight string quartets (1920–64); including Rispetti e strambotti, Stornelli e ballate, and Canzoni alla madrigalesca.

Orchestral Impressioni dal vero (three sets, 1913), Sinfonia in quattro tempi come le quattro stagioni (1933), Sinfonia elegiaca, Sinfonie delle campane, and eight others (1946–69); six piano concertos (1934–58), two violin concertos, cello concerto.