Scontrino, Antonio (1850–1922)

Italian double bass player and composer. Although he was the son of a poor carpenter, he was brought up in a musical atmosphere. His father ran a primitive but enthusiastic amateur orchestra, in which he played double bass parts on an adapted cello. In 1861 he went to the Palermo Conservatory and in 1870 began to tour as a double bass virtuoso. In 1876 he produced his first opera, after studying for another two years at Munich. He was appointed professor at the Palermo Conservatory (1891), and at the Reale Istituto Musicale at Florence (1892).

Works Stage works operas Matelda (1879), Il progettista (1882), Il sortilegio (1882), Gringoire (after Banville's play) and La cortigiana (1896); incidental music for d'Annunzio's Francesca da Rimini.

Other works motet Tota pulchra, O Salutaris, Salve Regina and other church music; Sinfonia marinesca and Sinfonia romantica for orchestra; three string quartets and prelude and fugue for string quartet; songs.