Bossi, Marco Enrico

1861-

One of the most prominent of the younger Italian composers, whose music is distinctively German in style. He was born at Salo, Italy, his father being an Italian organist. At the age of ten he entered the Liceo Musicale, at Bologna, where he studied for three years. From 1873 to 1881 he was at the Conservatory of Milan, where he studied composition under Ponchielli and organ with Fumagalli, also taking up the piano and violin. In 1881 he became organist and conductor at the Como Cathedral, where he remained ten years. From 1891 to 1895 he was professor of the organ and harmony at the Conservatory of Naples, after which he was director of the Liceo Benedetto Marcello at Venice. In 1902 he was appointed director of the Liceo Musicale at Bologna. Bossi is, perhaps, the best of modern Italian organists and has written many works for that instrument, the best of which, is probably his organ concerto, which was given at the World's Fair in Chicago. He has written three operas, Paquita, in one act; L'Angelo della Notte and II Veggento. He has also composed a symphonic poem, II Cieco. In sacred work, he has produced the oratorio, Christus, beside a large number of masses, cantatas and motets, and he has also written several orchestral numbers; some chamber-music and piano pieces and songs. One of his latest, and perhaps his best work, is a setting of Milton's Paradise Lost. His Method of Study for the Organ, written with Tebaldini, is considered a standard work.