Whether you're looking for composer biographies, historical music articles or public domain sheet music, Music of Yesterday has what you are looking for. We update content daily and link the best articles on this page weekly to keep you up to date on what's new.
Our content consists of article extracts from newspapers, magazines and books written and published prior to 1923 bringing to you the flavor of early music history as it was presented by prominent people in the music industry at that time including articles written by famous composers about other famous composers as well as articles written by opera stars and the top music educators of the time.
Also included in our archive are articles concerning the teaching of various musical instruments as well as music theory and what the best methods were for teaching students of all ages.
Most of our biographies include not only birth dates and places but more personal information on the lives and times of the person being studied and in some cases the interaction between composers of their time. Learn about their struggles, successes and more.
Are you interested in information about a particular opera? Read a short description of some of the most famous operas; feel the drama.
Site Links
Biographies | Music History | Old School Teaching
Opera Stories | Free Sheet Music | Music Software Reviews
| Emanuel D' Astorga |
|
Emanuel D' Astorga, well known not only by his misfortunes, but also by his church music, was born Dec. 11, 1681, at Palermo. He was the son of a distinguished baron, who was surrendered by his mercenaries in a fight against the union of the island with Spain, and was decapitated in 1701. Forced to be present with his mother at the shameful execution, he became unconscious, whilst she died from terror. By the intercession of the Princess Ursini, he was brought into a convent at Astorga, in Leon, for which city he was afterwards named. He studied music under Scarlatti and Caldara, and in 1704 went from the convent to the court of the Duke of Parma, by whom he was highly esteemed on account of his musical talent. However, the duke soon dismissed him for a supposed relation with his daughter; but he recommended him to the Emperor Leopold. After Leopold's death, Astorga, supported by the Spanish court, traveled through all civilized Europe. Finally we find him in Prague. It is supposed that he entered a convent in Bohemia, and there died, Aug. 21, 1736. His masterpiece is a "Stabat Mater," the original of which is preserved in Oxford. He composed many excellent cantatas, and an opera "Daphne," which was represented in Prague in 1726. He also wrote a requiem. |