OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1242, 1 May 1884, Page 2

OBITUARY.

Sir Michael Costa. The following particular! concarnmg Sir Michael Conte, whose death is chronic, clod in our cablegrams to-day, are taken \ from “ Men of the Time Sir Michael Costa, musical computer, was born in Naples in Feb. 1810. Early' displaying a strong taste for music, he was placed by bis parents under an efficient master. His progress was so rapid as to render advisable his admission iatp the Royal Academy of Music at Naples, and he ultimately became the pupil of Professor Tritto, then one of the most celebrated musical professors in Italy. His first original composition was a cantata composed for the Academy, entitled “ L’lirmagino,” which had'« most enroaraging reception, and wsa followed by “II Delitto punito,’’ also successful. When his academical career was completed he produced his first opera, “II Careers d’lldegonda,” at the Teatro Nuovo, which kept possession of the stage during the whole of the season. Hit next attempt was “ Malvina," for the San Carlo, a work which has been performed at the principal Italian theatres. In 1829 . he visited England, and asaisted : at the Birmingham musical festival of that year. In 1831 he assumed the bdton of conductor at Her Majesty’s Theatre in place of Signor Bcchsa, and between 1831-3, prodnced three ballets, “ Une Heure k Naples,” and “Sire Huon,” which were successful, In 1837 he produced his opera “ Malok Adel," for the Italian Opera at Paris, and It was afterwards played with success in-London. In 1839 he became a naturalised British subject. Under Mr T>--mley’a management, he in 1844 brought bat his “Don •Carlos,” which had been considered hie ' 'j^^<etM/ > 1816 Mr Costa became cbttduotor offlnr Philharmonic concerts, and in 1849 was appointed conductor of the Sacred Hannon to Society, and in 1847 conducted the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden, with which , establishment he has thoroughly identified himself. His great work) the oratorio of “ Eli,” produced at the Birmingham musical festival of 1866, at onoe raised its author to a high rank among contemporaneous composers. Mr Costa received from a body of noblemen end gentlemen, presided over by Lord Willoughby de Broke, a massivepieoe of plate as a testimonial of esteem-end admiration. In 1859 he was appointed sonductor of the Handel festivals. Under his direction several new operas have bean produced at the Royal Italian Opera, with a completeness quite unparalleled. Hia oratorio entitled “ Naaman,” brought out at the Birmingham musical festival for ’ 1864, was a great success. He was-' knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle, April 14, 1869. In May, 1869, the King of Wiirtemberg conferred on him the Royal Order of Frederick, as e mark of | the admiration entertained by Hu He* > jesty of the oratorio, of “ Eli,” performed ’ under the composer’s direction 1 at Stutt- [ gard in the previous November. . Sir ; Michael is also a Knight of the Turkish : Order of the Medjidie, has received the r Cross of the Prussian Order of the Bed Eagle, 3rd class, and the Order du Lion d’Or da la Maison de Nassau, 3rd class, 1 and is Knight Commander of the Crown of Italy. • • ; ' •