Cavallini, Ernesto 01/01/1807 - 01/01/1874

Ernesto Cavallini (1807-1874), legendary clarinetist, studied at the Milan Conservatory and played in the orchestra of La Scala from 1831-1851. His playing was admired by both Rossini and Verdi, and while at La Scala, he participated in four Verdi premieres. Verdi wrote the clarinet solo in the prelude to the third act of La Forza del Destino for him, which Cavallini later premiered in St. Petersburg under Verdi's direction. After he resigned from La Scala, Cavallini toured extensively as a solo clarinetist in Italy, France, Belgium and England for several years. He joined the faculty of the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1862 at Anton Rubinstein's invitation, having become soloist of the Imperial Orchestra in St. Petersburg, Russia a few years earlier. Returning to Milan in 1869, he taught at the Milan Conservatory from 1871-1874. Cavallini used a six-keyed instrument and was considered the foremost Italian clarinetist of the 19th century. He wrote a clarinet concerto, concert pieces and studies for clarinet.