LUIGI CHERUBINI

(1760-1842)
BY: OLIVIA YUNG
MUSICAL STYLE

• was inspired by Christoph Willibald Gluck's operatic writing style (whose goal was to
restore dramatic integrity into opera)
• his music was of extraordinary depth and dramatic power
• was able to express himself very passionately and dramatically without ruining the
religious experience in his religious works
• music remained in the Classical style
• his ability to apply his polyphonic virtuosity to his pieces was admired by many
HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS LIFE

• In 1778, studied with Giuseppe Sarti and composed his first opera, II Quinto Fabio.
• Permanently established himself in the city of Paris in 1785.
• Démophon, his first work for the French stage, was written in 1788.
• In 1789, he was named new director for an opera company which was started by Louis XVIII.
• In 1792, the company was shut down, Cherubini found refuge in a friend's house in Normandy.
• Turning point of his career was in 1797, when he composed the opera Medée, which was very successful.
• In 1805, he travelled to Vienna to meet Haydn, Beethoven, and Napoleon.
• Became director of the Paris Conservatory in 1822.