Antonio Salieri

Antonio Salieri was an Italian composer and conductor of the Classical era. He was born in Legnago, Italy in 1750 and died in Vienna in 1825. He was a student of the renowned composer, Gluck, and was appointed Kapellmeister at the Imperial Court in Vienna in 1788. Salieri was a prolific composer, writing over 40 operas, as well as symphonies, masses, and other works. He was highly respected in his day, and was a teacher to many famous composers, including Beethoven and Schubert. Salieri's music was highly praised for its melodic beauty and technical skill. He is remembered today as a rival of Mozart, although there is no evidence to suggest that the two were actually rivals.