Tommaso Giordani

Although born in Naples this operatic composer spent most of his time in the British Isles. Touring with his father's opera company in London he presented his first opera in 1756. Between 1768 and 1783 he remianed in London composing three operas and arranging a number of other works. In Dublin he gave seven more operas becoming musical director of the English Opera House. Giordani also composed odes, sacred music, cantatas, canzonets, and chamber pieces, many with keyboard. Much of his keyboard music and adaptations were as popular as J. C. Bach's particularly for the amateur. Unfortunately many of his musical phrases contain superfluous music. The popular song "Caro mio ben" has often been attributed to Tomasso but was actually composed by Giuseppe Giordani. ~ Keith Johnson