Sarti, Joseph

, a sweet, tender, and graceful composer, was born at Faenza in 1730. In 1756 he went t6 Copenhagen as maestro di cappella to the young king of Denmark, for whose theatre he composed an opera, which had no great success. In his way back to Italy he came | through England, and published six sonatas for the harpsichord. In 1769 he went to Venice, where he was appointed master of the conservatorio of La Pieta, and composed an opera, which was in such favour, that it was said to be celestial music of the other world, “musica dell 1 altro mpndo.” He next composed for Milan four operas, in which Marchesi sung, and which had all very uncommon success. In 1782 he was appointed maestro di cappella to the Duomo in that city. His opera of “Giulio Sabino” was sung at the same time by Marchesi at Milan, and by Pacchieretta at Venice. In 1784 it was brought on the stage at Vienna, after it had been performed at all the principal theatres of Italy during two years. His harmony was sweet and simple, and his melody truly vocal.

At the end of 1784 he again steered northward, having been engaged in the service of the empress of Russia for three years. In 1785 He established a concert spiritnel at Petersburg, for which he composed, in the choral style, a psalm in the Russian language, which was performed by 66 voices and 100 instruments, among which there were wind instruments of every kind. In 1788 he composed a Te Deum for the victory over the Turks at Ockzakow. He was appointed director the same year of a conservatorio, for the establishment of which the empress expended 3500 rubles, and allowed 1500 in annual salaries and other incidental expences: and in order to engage Sard to remain in Russia, her imperial majesty gave him an estate, with woods and seats upon it of considerable value, which induced him to spend the chief part of his remaining days in cultivating his lands more than music. His opera of “Armida,” in 1786, had pleased the empress so much, that she gave him a golden vase or bowl, and a ring of great value. In 1790, at sixty years of age, he died in his way back to his o.vn country for the recovery of his health, which had been much impaired by the severity of the climate. His works, which are composed in so elegant, natural, and pleasing a style, as is not likely to be soon out cf fashion, are for the church, 1. A miserere, accompanied only by a tenor and violoncello in solo parts, and ripieno violini in the choruses. 2. A motet, conjitebor tibi, a 6. Soprano and contralto in the solo verses. 3. A gloria, in nine parts, for the Russian or Greek church. For the theatre, twenty-six operas. Chamber music printed. Symphonies in nine parts at Leipsig, 1758. Three sonatas for | the harpsichord, with a flute accompaniment, Amsterdam. Three sonatas, in London, 1769. “Giulio Sabino characteristica,” Vienna, 1787. ¹