Antonio Salieri was one of the most widely respected opera composers of the second half of the eighteenth century. Born in Legnano in northern Italy in 1750, the fifth son of a merchant, his early talents on the violin, harpsichord and in singing led to his move to Venice at the age of 15. There he attracted the attention of the Viennese composer Florian Gassmann who effectively adopted him, taking him to Vienna and facilitating further training and the requisite introductions in court circles. He quickly came to the notice of the emperor Joseph II, as well as the librettist Pietro Metastasio, and the reformist composer Gluck who remained a lifelong supporter. At the age of 24, Salieri became Court composer and director of the Italian opera, and some years later became Kapellmeister. His greatest triumphs ... were in Milan, where he wrote