Ottorino Respighi

Ottorino Respighi was an Italian composer, musicologist, and conductor, known for his orchestral music and operas. Respighi was born on 9 July 1879 in Bologna, Italy, into a musical family. He studied violin and piano, and later composition at the Liceo Musicale di Bologna. Relocating to Rome in 1913, he became a professor of composition and married his pupil Elsa Olivieri-Sangiacomo. Respighi dedicated his time to composing and touring from 1923 onward. His fame led to conducting and performing his compositions across the Americas. Respighi died from bacterial endocarditis on 18 April 1936 in Rome at age 56, survived by his wife Elsa who promoted his works posthumously.