Stanislao Mattei

Stanislao Mattei,O.F.M. Conv.(10 February 1750, inBologna– 17 May 1825, in Bologna), was anItalianConventual Franciscanfriarwho was a notedcomposer,musicologist,and music teacher of his era.

Portrait of Mattei

Life

Mattei was born inBologna,then part of thePapal States,to a family ofartisans.At the localChurch of St. Francis,he became a pupil of the famed musician, FriarGiovanni Battista Martini,O.F.M. Conv., a member of the Franciscan community attached to the church. He also followed Martini's example and entered theConventual Franciscans.Following his period ofnovitiate,he was named his mentor's assistant and substitute conductor of the famed girls choir at the church and succeeded him in that position upon his death in 1784.

Mattei continued as choir director at the Church of St. Francis until 1809. He then moved briefly toPadua,where he served in that function for theBasilica of Saint Anthony of Padua,operated by his religious Order. This situation was temporary, however as he soon returned to Bologna, where he became the music director at the Church of St. Petronius.

During the occupation of Italy by theFrench Revolutionary Army,thefriarywas suppressed and the community of friars scattered. Mattei then went to live with his mother, supporting himself by giving private instruction.

Music

Mattei's music bears a close resemblance to the style of composition of Martini, his mentor.

Mattei himself composed over 300 works of sacred music, a body of work which remains largely unpublished. He also composed some secular vocal pieces and symphonies. In 1804 he was appointed as a professor at the Liceo Musicale di Bologna (now theConservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini), where he had among his pupilsGaetano Donizetti,Yevstigney Fomin,Angelo Mariani,Giuseppe Vianesi,Francesco Morlacchi,Luigi Felice Rossi,Gioachino Rossini,Giovanni Tadolini,andChristian Theodor Weinlig.See:List of music students by teacher: K to M#Stanislao Mattei.

Selected works

• Oratorio -La passione di Gesù Cristo1792