Opera Scotland

Franco Leoni Suggest updates

Born Milan, 24 October 1864.

Died London, 8 February 1949.

Italian composer.

Franco Leoni trained at the Milan Conservatory under Ponchielli, and moved to Britain in 1892. London remained his base for most of the rest of his life. As with most of his Italian contemporaries, his style seems based on that of Puccini, and competently orchestrated, with some excellent effects. However it lacks Puccini's sense of memorable melody and perfect dramatic pacing. Leoni was known as a successful conductor and as a composer of popular songs, and was responsible for a total of ten operas, though none of them enjoyed lasting success.