A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Giordani

by George Grove

GIORDANI. An Italian musical family of the 18th century, consisting of a father, three sisters, and two brothers, who played little comic operas in one of the Neapolitan theatres till 1762 [App. p.647 "1753"], when the whole troupe migrated to London [App. p.647 "with the singer Lini"], with the exception of the younger brother, Giuseppe, then but nine, who remained behind to learn composition in the Conservatorio di Loreto, where he had Cimarosa and Zingarelli for his fellow students. The Giordani family came out at the Haymarket Theatre, and made a great success. In 1772 they were joined by their brother, who had by that time obtained the sobriquet of Giordanello, and who became composer to the troupe. His best-known opera was 'Il Baccio,' [App. p.647 "Bacio"] which seems to have kept the boards from 1774 to 79. In addition to composing he was much in vogue as a teacher, and Fétis gives a list of 6 P.F. quintets, 3 ditto quartets, 12 ditto trios, 6 string quartets, 3 Concertos for Viol and Orchestra, besides preludes, sonatas, and lessons for the harpsichord, all which he published in London between 1776 and 1782. In the latter year he returned to Italy, and remained there for 10 years, producing in that time no less than 24 operas and oratorios, besides other compositions for the chamber, some published in London and some in Berlin. He died at Lisbon in May 94, having gone there to conduct the Italian Opera.

His elder brother Tomasso [App. p.647 "Tommaso"], who is not clearly distinguishable from Giuseppe, remained in England, acted, taught, played, and composed. In 1779, however, he went to Dublin, and in partnership with Leoni [App. p.647 "Lini"] the singer took the theatre in Chapel Street as an opera house. At the end of four years they were bankrupt. Giordani however had plenty of teaching, he married, and composed an opera 'Perseverance' and an oratorio 'Isaac,' both of which appear to have been successful, as well as pianoforte pieces and songs, Italian and English, which last had a great sale. An air by one of the brothers, 'Caro mio ben,' is still sung at concerts.

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