GIOVANNI BOTTESINI Passione Amorosa , II . Andante , III . Allegretto
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1821 in Crema , Italy ; died 1889 in Parma , Italy
• Bottesini studied the violin growing up but had to switch instruments upon entering school . Due to his family ’ s lack of money , Bottesini needed to procure a scholarship in order to attend the Milan Conservatory . Only two instruments had scholarships slots available – double bass and bassoon . Alas , Bottesini prepared a double bass audition in a matter of weeks and , just like that , became a bassist .
• Bottesini developed a flourishing international solo career and was dubbed Paganini of the double bass .
• In addition to his success as a performer , Bottesini also became a sought-after conductor . He was selected by Verdi to conduct the first performance of Aida .
• Bottesini composed a number of works in his lifetime , including several operas , chamber works , and pieces featuring the double bass , which live on as staples to the instrument ’ s repertoire .
ABOUT THE PIECE
• The Passione Amorosa was written while the Bottesini was still a student at the Milan Conservatory .
• The work has the feel of a miniature opera , an idiom that Bottesini was well-versed in , and the two double basses deliver the soprano and tenor melodic lines .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1840
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LITERATURE Alexandre Dumas ’ Otho the Archer
TECHNOLOGY Warren de la Rue invents the first light bulb
HISTORY The World Anti-Slavery Convention meets for the first time
BSO SESSIONS | APRIL 2021
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