A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Coccia, Carlo

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

COCCIA, Carlo, born at Naples 1789 [App. p.594 "April 14, 1782"], date and place of death uncertain [App. p.594 "Novara, April 13, 1873"]; son of a violinist, studied under Fenaroli and Paisiello. His early compositions were remarkable for his years. Paisiello was extremely fond of him, procured him the post of accompanist at King Joseph Bonaparte's private concerts, and encouraged him after the failure of his first opera, 'Il Matrimonio per cambiale' (Rome, 1808). Between the years 1808 and 19 he composed 22 operas for various towns in Italy, and two cantatas, one for the birth of the King of Rome (Treviso, 1811), the other (by a curious irony, in which Cherubini also shared) for the entry of the allied armies into Paris (Padua, 1814). In 1820 he went to Lisbon, where he composed four operas and a cantata, and thence to London (August, 23), where he became conductor at the Opera. He discharged his duties with credit, and profited by hearing more solid works than were performed in Italy, as he showed in the single opera he wrote here, 'Maria Stuarda' (1827). He was also professor of composition at the Royal Academy on its first institution. In 28 he returned to Italy. In 33 he paid a second visit to England, and then settled finally in Italy. In 36 [App. p.594 "40"] he succeeded Mercadante at Novara, and was appointed Inspector of Singing at the Philharmonic Academy of Turin. His last opera, 'Il Lago delle Fate' (Turin, 1814), was unsuccessful. Coccia wrote with extreme rapidity, the entire opera of 'Donna Caritea' (Turin, 1818), being completed in six days. 'Clotilde' (Venice, 1816 [App. p.594 "1815"]), was the most esteemed of all his works in Italy. He was highly thought of in his day, but his science was not sufficient to give durability to his compositions. (For list see Fétis).

[ M. C. C. ]