Domenico Dragonetti
Domenico Carlo Maria Dragonetti (7 April 1763 – 16 April 1846) was an Italian
double bass virtuoso and
composer with a 3 string double bass. He stayed for thirty years in his hometown of
Venice, Italy and worked at the
Opera Buffa, at the
Chapel of San Marco and at the Grand Opera in
Vicenza. By that time he had become notable throughout
Europe and had turned down several opportunities, including offers from the
Tsar of Russia. In 1794, he finally moved to
London to play in the orchestra of the
King's Theatre, and settled there for the remainder of his life. In fifty years, he became a prominent figure in the musical events of the English capital, performing at the concerts of the
Philharmonic Society of London as well as in more private events, where he would meet the most influential persons in the country, like the
Prince Consort and the
Duke of Leinster. He was acquainted with composers
Joseph Haydn and
Ludwig van Beethoven, whom he visited on several occasions in
Vienna, and to whom he showed the possibilities of the double bass as a
solo instrument. His ability on the instrument also demonstrated the relevance of writing
scores for the double bass in the
orchestra separate from that of the
cello, which was the common rule at the time. He is also remembered today for the ''Dragonetti
bow'', which he developed throughout his life.
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