Fiorillo, Federigo

views updated

Fiorillo, Federigo

Fiorillo, Federigo, Italian violinist and composer, son of Ignazio Fiorillo; b. Braunschweig (baptized), June 1, 1755; d. after 1823. He was taught by his father, then traveled as a violinist and conductor. He appeared as a violinist in St. Petersburg in 1777, then in Poland (1780–81), and also conducted in Riga (1782–84). In 1785 he went to Paris, where he participated in the Concert Spirituel. In 1788 he was in London, where he played the viola in Salomon’s quartet. He probably remained in London until c. 1815, then was in Amsterdam and again in Paris. He was a prolific composer for violin and various combinations of string instruments. Fiorillo is known chiefly through his useful collection Etudes de violon, comprising 36 caprices, which was frequently reprinted.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire