A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Duni, Egidio
DUNI, Egidio Romoaldo, the founder of opéra comique in France; born at Matera, Naples, Feb. 9, 1709; brought up from his 10th year under Durante at the Conservatory dei poveri di Gesu Cristo at Naples. His life was a varied one. At Rome he competed with Pergolesi, and his opera of 'Nerone' was successful, while Pergolesi's 'Olimpiade' was damned. This shows how early and how strong was Duni's gift of melody; for 'Olimpiade' is Pergolesi's capo d'opera. A political mission to Vienna gave him the chance of producing his music there. Returning to Naples he wrote 'Artaserse' for San Carlo, with great applause. He then visited Venice, Paris, and London. In London his health failed, and he was driven to Holland to consult the great Boerhaave. Boerhaave cured him, but in returning to Naples he was attacked by brigands, and the fright undid all that the physician had done, and made him a permanent invalid. In 1755 he was called to Parma, as music master to the Duke's daughter. The court was French, and here at last Duni found his place in life. His first attempt was on Favart's 'Ninette à la Cour,' and it was thoroughly successful. France was evidently his field. To Paris in 1757 he went, and made his début in 'Le Peintre amoureux'; and there he remained till his death, which took place June 11, 1775, after he had delighted the public with 18 [1]pieces, full of gaiety and tune. Those in fact are his characteristics. His orchestration is poor, he is often weak in dramatic expression, but he is always charming and always melodious. His pen was taken up by Monsigny, and the Opéra Comique was established.
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- ↑ See the list in Fétis.