A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Poniatowski, Joseph

by Gustave Chouquet

PONIATOWSKI, Joseph Michael Xavier Francis John—nephew of the Prince Poniatowski who was a marshal of the French army and died in the battle of Leipzig, Oct. 19, 1812, and whose portrait was found by Mendelssohn at Wyler^[1] inscribed 'Brinz Baniadofagi'—Prince of Monte Rotondo, born at Rome, Feb. 20, 1816. He devoted himself so entirely to music that he can hardly be called an amateur. He regularly attended the musical classes at the Lycée at Florence, and also studied under Ceccherini. He made his début at the Pergola, Florence, as a tenor singer; produced his first opera, 'Giovanni da Procida'—in which he sang the title role—at Lucca in 1838, and from that time for more than 30 years supplied the theatres of Italy and Paris with a large number of operas. After the Revolution of 48 he settled in Paris as plenipotentiary of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and was made Senator under the Empire. After Sedan he followed his friend Napoleon III. to England, produced his opera 'Gelmina' at Covent Garden, June 4, 1872, his operetta 'Au travers du mur' at St. George's Hall, June 6, 1873, and selections from his Mass in F at Her Majesty's Theatre, June 27, 1873, and died July 3 of the same year. He was buried at Chislehurst.

His operas are 'Giovanni da Procida' (Florence and Lucca 1838); 'Don Desiderio' (Pisa 1839, Paris 1858); 'Ruy Blas' (Lucca 1842); 'Bonifazio' (Rome 1844); 'I Lambertazzi' (Florence 1845); 'Malek Adel' (Genoa 1846); 'Esmeralda' (Leghorn 1847); 'La Sposa d'Abido' (Venice 1847); 'Pierre de' Medicis' (Paris 1860); 'Au travers du mur' (Ibid. 1861); 'L'Aventurier' (Ibid. 1865); 'La Contessina' (Ibid. 1868).

His music evinces much melody and knowledge of the voice, considerable familiarity with stage effect, fluency and power of sustained writing—everything in short but genius and individuality. His manners were remarkably simple and affable, and he was beloved by all who knew him.

[ G. C. ]

1. Letter, Aug. 9, 1831.