Born in Livorno, Italy on December 7, 1863
died in Rome, Italy on August 2, 1945

Pietro Mascagni was born in 1863 in Livorno, on the west coast of Italy, not far from Puccini’s birthplace of Lucca. Mascagni’s talent was recognized by his first teacher, Alfredo Soffrendini, who encouraged him to pursue music as a career. Not wishing to go into the family baking business, and against the wishes of his father, Mascagni entered the Milan Conservatory, with the financial support of Count Florestano de Larderel. There Mascagni studied with Ponchielli and roomed with Puccini. However, he felt unable to commit himself to a long term of study, so he left in April 1885 (or was expelled) to explore his talents in his own way.

He taught when necessary, as funds were tight, but found most success with composing and conducting. He began work on Cavalleria rusticana in 1888 as an entry for the Sonzogno competition. He sent the score to Puccini and Ricordi, neither of whom liked the piece. Mascagni became despondent and wanted to destroy the score and send in the fourth act of a full-length opera he had written instead. His wife retrieved the Cavalleria manuscript and entered it without his knowing. He won first prize over 72 other entrants. The premiere in Rome in 1890 was a huge success, and although Cavalleria would be the work he is best remembered for, Mascagni enjoyed success in his lifetime with L’amico Fritz (1891)—a pastoral comedy—Iris (1898), and Isabeau (1911).

Mascagni’s music is immediate and emotional, two qualities that mark him a founder of the verismo style.