The Italian-born conductor and composer Michael Costa (1808-1884) studied in Naples with his father at the Real Collegia di Musica and later with Niccolo Antonio Zingarelli. Although most of his works disappeared into obscurity, he composed a significant number of operas, symphonies and cantatas. After a visit to Birmingham, he settled in England. In 1830, working as a conductor at His Majesty's Theatre, Costa was able to influence many changes there and subsequently at Covent Garden. He was admired by Meyerbeer and Verdi. Having conducted several orchestras, he took on English citizenship and was subsequently knighted in 1869. Among those compositions which survived are his ballets "Kenilworth", "Une Heure a Naples", "Sir Huon" and "Alma". His operas "Malek Adhel" and "Don Carlos" were produced in Paris and London. Good .
Keywords: MUSIC; CLASSICAL; OPERA; AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED; MICHAEL COSTA; COMPOSER; CONDUCTOR; ITALIAN-BORN ENGLISH COMPOSER; BALLETS; DON CARLOS; KENILWORTH; ALMA; NINETEENTH CENTURY; A.L.S.; ALS; 19TH CENTURY; MEETING.