A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Coppola, Pier

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

COPPOLA, Pier Antonio, born in 1792 [App. p.597 "Dec. 11, 1793"] at Castrogiovanni in Sicily, son of a musician, studied at the Royal College of Music at Naples. His first opera, 'Il Figlio bandito' (1816) was well received, and his 'Nina pazza per amore' (Rome, 1835), was performed in every town of Italy, in Vienna, Berlin, Lisbon, Spain, Mexico, and, as an opéra-comique with the title of 'Eva,' in Paris (1839). In 1836 he composed 'Enrichetta di Baienfeld' for Vienna, and this was followed by 'Gli Illinese' (Turin), one of his best works; and 'La bella Celeste degli Spadari' (Milan) [App. p.597 "1837"]. At the Royal Theatre in Lisbon he produced 'Giovanna 1^ma' (1841), and 'Inès de Castro' (1842). In 1843 he returned to Italy, and composed five more operas, which were less successful than his earlier works, and he finally returned to his post at Lisbon. Coppola might have taken a higher place had he not come into competition with Rossini. Some masses, litanies, and other church music are to be found in the libraries at Naples. He died Nov. 14, 1877 [App. p.597 "Nov. 13"].

[ M. C. C. ]