Mascagni Pietro
The clean shaved mythical man
Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) is one of the most famous and significant name in the world of music particularly in the operatic music. He is known across the continents not only because of his legendary musical compositions and orchestral direction but also because of his image of a groomed, energetic, enthusiastic, diplomatic and entrepreneurial persona. His masterpiece Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) created waves for over half a century in the operatic circle of Europe and America. The spontaneity in his character is reflected in his creation of 15 operas and series of Cantata, Instrumental music, film music, orchestral music, piano music and songs. To name a few Cantata- In filanda, Alla gioia, Choral music- Canta del Lavoro, Film music- Rapsodia satanica, Opera-I Rantzau, Amica, Le maschere, Parisina, Zanetto, Instrumental- Fanfara della diciotto, Pianno music-Novellina, tema di andante, Tomina, Songs- Alla luna, Ballata, Rosa, Bimba bionda, Pena d’amore, Serenata and so on.
Top
The genesis of a legend
Descendent of Paolo Mascagni, a famous anatomist and professor at the University of Pisa and Florence Pietro Mascagni is the grandson of Antonio Mascagni. His father Domenico Mascagni married Emilia Reboa di Stefano, a Leghorn native. Domenico was the proud owner of the bakery in Piazza delle Erbe. It was on December 7th 1863 dawn, the great musical composer Mascagni Pietro was born in the happy home of Emilia and Domenico in Livorno. Pietro was second among their five kids – Francesco, Pietro, Carlo, Maria and Paolo. As the shine and luster of gold Pietro also underwent the hardship of life which started at a very tender age of ten when his mother died in 1873 because of tuberculosis. Amidst the tragedy Domenico decided the future of his kids by letting Francesco to take charge of the bakery. For Pietro he had some different plans as according to his intelligence. Domenico’s dream for Pietro was to see him as a lawyer. Pietro however with the moral and financial help of his uncle Stefano managed to pursue the career of a musician. Stefano’s help was immense during Pietro’s study in the highschool and the time he went for his study of music. Starting with piano Pietro started singing in the Scola Cantorun in the church of San Benedetto. During these years he managed somehow to keep those notes intact which otherwise would be burned by his father out of the exasperation due to the noise resulted from his piano playing.
Top
The calendar of notes
The rebel of his own life Mascagni studied with Alfredo Soffredini 1n 1876 who later was the father of the famous Istituto Musicale di Livorno also known as IstitutoCherubini which gave Mascagni the first break of his composed cantata In Filanda to be premiered on 1881. The brilliance of the cantata was such that it won the first prize at a musical contest in Milan too. 1884 was gifted by quite a number of Mascagni’s creation with Ballata, M’ama non m’ama, Scherzo, Messagio d’amore and Alla luna. Life took its own turns and Mascagni became the conductor of the operetta companies of Vittorio Forli, Alfonso and Ciro Scognamiglio. It was not long in 1886 that Mascagni met his manager Luigi Maresca. Together they created wonders in and around Italy. Apuglia in Cerignola is the place where ultimately Mascagni ended his nomadic life and settled there as master of music and singing his jovial songs for now he was not alone but with the lady love of his life Argenide Marcellina Carbognani who the world know as “Lina”. Lina met Mascagni in Parma in an operetta and entered in his life like an angel. The initial years were not so good under the tight economic condition and they got married only after the birth of their first son who unfortunately died at the mere age of four month. The marriage solemnized in the year 1889. Except for the year 1889- 1890, which we will discuss in details later, let us now proceed further into Mascagni’s life. The year rolled on with his creations of Choral music, operas, songs and piano music that marked the calendars with the tremendous exhilaration by the audience. 1900’s saw Mascagni’s performance in other parts of the world too. Mascagni’s fame was at the zenith when in 1914 the world war began. He and the great composer Puccini were against the war, which resulted Mascagni’s son Dino to be seen behind the bar. Following years could be said enjoyed Mascagni’ contribution to the movie industry with music in mega movie like Rapsodia satanica in 1915. However his contribution to opera music continues.
Top
The Exodus...
But nothing is consistent in this world and so are good times. Mascagni received another blow with the death of his son Dino in Somalia in the year 1936. Mascagni now tired with his life gave his appearance in 1943 at La Scala for L’amico Fritz. Finally the fateful day arrived on August 2nd 1945; at 7.15am Mascagni departed from this world may be for an eternal journey towards the quest of music. But it was only on 1951 that the mortal remains of Mascagni were transferred from Rome to Livorno where finally he could get an official homage.
Top
Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry)
It would be unjust not to devote a separate chapter for this creation of Mascagni. The larger than life creation rippled the entire globe for more than half a century and still is a treat for the opera lovers. 1889 was the year Mascagni composed Cavalleria Rusticana and sends it to Milan. He was called to Rome to present his creation in the famous Teatro Costanzi in 1890. The success is tremendous with the opera winning the Sonzogno contest, the highest rank any opera can reach that era. Puccini was the first to congratulate him by telegram. The young and charming Mascagni instantly was in the peak of name and fame, which spread across wherever he performed in Florence, Bologna, Torino, Palermo, Milan, Ginova, Napoli, Monaco, Hamburg, Petersburg, Dresden and Buenos Aires. Based on a creation by the Sicilian writer Giovanni Verga the story of the opera is a rather complex love triangle wherein a young Sicilian man Turiddu fell in love with his ex-girlfriend Lola now married to Alfio. Turiddu’s fiancée Santuzza on discovering the infidelity reveals the affair to Alfio who out of rage invited Turiddu for a duel. Alfio won the battle with the death of Turiddu. The rather complex story got its life from the touch of Mascagni and his recreation of opera based on the story.
Top
The cupid’s side
Music is an art and thus need motivations for its creation. And the greatest motivation of the world is none other than love. The emotive nature of Mascagni’s love life can be partly understood by the above-mentioned fact. Lina certainly claimed the love of his life by her nature of care, possessiveness, stability and balance in the ups and down of her life. Her support is perhaps one of the major motivation of Mascagni’s venture. But in reality Mascagni shared his love with Anna Lolli (1888-1973). Mascagni’s well build features with thick wavy hair open mannered speeches and his penetrating gaze with the masculinity in him made Anna Lolli fall for him. In fact a Mascagni attach himself with the rumor of a short relationship with then famous soprano Nellie Melba on whose name the dessert Melba cup is christened. Anna Lolli or Annuccia as she was called was from Romagne region and was known to Mascagni since 1910. With a beautiful and kind face which was high lightened by sensuous lips, green big eyes she shared the love of Mascagni for thirty five years which can be witnessed by the 5000 letters send to her by him. Younger to him by twenty five years she was quite matured and proved to be a wise counselor for Mascagni. In fact she stayed with Mascagni during one of his creations, Parisina in 1912. Mascagni’s division of own self in two families for 35 years is certainly a matter credit to Lina who knowingly shared Mascagni with Annuccia for the well being of her family.
With all the events and episodes in Mescagni’s life the world still salutes the one of the most noted operatic composer for the contributions and the innovations imparted to the operatic music creating the panache of opera music and leading a life of enormous creativity, fame and versatility. Long live the music of Mascagni Pietro.
Top
Back to Home / Tourism in Tuscany / Culture & Antropology
History is evident that great events, precious articles and extraordinary talents are untouchable by the clouds of time. They create their impression in not only the life of human being but leave their footprints on time itself. Especially human talents are much above the mentioned three as it cannot be priced by any human parameters so far existed in this world. It can only be felt and relished ages after ages. Mascagni Pietro was one such precious gems of this world. 
