Saldoni, Don Balthasar

1807-1890

Eminent Spanish composer, teacher of singing and writer, who was born at Barcelona; studied there under Andrevi, and later was a pupil from 1818 to 1822 at the Monserrat Monastery. In 1829 Saldoni went to Madrid, and, upon the opening of the Conservatory the following year, was appointed to teach vocal art and solfeggio at that institution. In 1839 he studied the vocal method at the Paris Conservatory, and upon returning to Madrid the following year was made professor at the Conservatory. He composed the operas, Ipermestra, Boabdil, La Porte de Monaco; a symphony, A mia patria, for orchestra, military band and organ; masses; motets; cantatas; orchestra music; and considerable church-music, including a Stabat Mater, a Miserere, preludes, and hymns. Saldoni won his first successes with sacred compositions, but it was in the field of opera that he was at his best. His Spanish operettas, or zarzuelas, won great favor. He published several works on the subject of music and wrote a singing method, in which he expounded his system.