Nicola Benvenuti

Nicola Benvenuti, known in Pisa by the diminutive Niccolino, was an Italian composer and organist born and buried in his native city in the nineteenth century. He belongs to the musical life of Tuscany in that period, being linked to the cathedral and to the church of the Knights of St Stephen, and his memory remains alive in Pisa to this day.

His early training was entrusted to his father, Santi Benvenuti, organist of the Pisan cathedral. He then studied composition and organ with Filippo Gherardeschi, maestro di cappella of the Knights of St Stephen, a church that boasted a notable organ by Azzolino della Ciaia. In 1804 he was appointed organist of that church and achieved great fame as a virtuoso. Although he was named maestro di cappella of the cathedral in 1808, he did not take up the post until 1810, and he held it until his death. Later, the Grand Duke of Tuscany commissioned him to teach music to the ducal family and to direct the music at their palaces in Florence and Pisa.

In 1824, with the support of the municipal government, he founded a music school in which he trained many outstanding organists.

As for his output, a cantata, arias, duets and trios for the theatre are known, along with the minor operas Arianna e Teseo and Werter. In 1812 Gervasoni published twelve symphonies, sonatas, variations and masses by him. A large part of his sacred works is preserved in the archive of Pisa Cathedral.