Faccio, Franco

1840-1891

Dramatic composer and conductor, who was born in Verona, Italy, and was, after Mariani's death, the best conductor in Italy. His first teacher was G. Bernascom and he was a pupil of the Conservatory of Milan from 1855 to 1861 under Ronchetti and Mazzucato. He later obtained a subsidy from the government, and  as able to travel. Faccio was a friend and co-worker with Arrigo Boito, and together they wrote Le Sorelle d'ltalia, receiving for it the government prize, and studying in Paris and also in Germany. They later entered the Italian army and served under Garibaldi in 1866. Faccio became professor of harmony at the Milan Conservatory in 1868, succeeding Croff, and subsequently was made professor of counterpoint and fugue there, was chapelmaster at La Scala, Milan, and finally succeeded Terziani as conductor there, which position he filled with distinction. He died at Biffi, near Monza, Italy. His works consist of an opera, I profughi Fiamminghi, with the text by Praga, given at La Scala in 1863 with marked success; the opera, Amleto, with the text by Boito, given at Florence in 1865 and at Milan six years later; a concert overture; a cantata written with Boito; a cantata for the inauguration of the Turin exhibition in 1884; a hymn; music for Giacometti's Maria Antoinette; a symphony in F; string quartet; and a vocal album.