Pugnani, Gaetano

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Pugnani, Gaetano (b Turin, 1731; d Turin, 1798). It. violinist and composer. Travelled widely 1754–70, staying for long spells in Paris (where he was soloist in his own conc. at the Concert Spirituel) and London (where he cond. at the King's Th. and had a success with his opera Nanetta e Lubino, 1769). Returned to Turin as orch. leader and teacher. His pupils incl. Viotti. Comp. operas, cantatas, ballets, vn. conc., 20 vn. sonatas, 6 str. qts., and other works. A Praeludium and Allegro said to have been arr. from Pugnani by the violinist Kreisler was admitted by Kreisler in 1935 to be entirely his own work.