Luigi Arditi

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Luigi Arditi (22 July 1822 - 1 May 1903), was an Italian violinist, composer and conductor.

Arditi was born in Crescentino, Piemonte (Italy). He began his musical career as a violinist, and studied music at the Conservatory of Milan. He made his debut in 1843 as a director at Vercelli, and it was there that he was made an honorary member of the Philharmonic Academy. Arditi conducted opera throughout Italy and in 1846 found himself gracing platforms as far afield as Havana in Cuba. This was where he first met Bottesini). He visited America, where he remained for a while, conducting operas in New York, Philadelphia and other cities until 1856. Then, following a visit to Constantinople, he decided to settle in London, but made several trips again to America with the Royal Italian Opera Company. He also conducted in Germany, and in other major European cities such as St. Petersburg, Vienna and Madrid. After 1885, he was in England, conducting at Covent Garden and in various prestigious theatres and promenade concerts in London's pleasure parks. He died at Hove, near Brighton (England). Luigi's best-known operas are: I Briganti, II Corsaro, and La Spia, (The Spy). In addition he wrote numerous songs and vocal waltzes, the most popular of which are "Il Bacio" (The Kiss), "Le TortorelIe", "Se Seran Rose", and the "Parla Waltz".