Iosif Liveralis

Iosif Liveralis

Iosif Liveralis ( Greek Ιωσήφ Λιβεράλης , also Liberalis Λιμπεράλης, Italian name Giuseppe Liberali ; * 1820 in Corfu ; † September 17, 1899 in Zakynthos ) was a Greek pianist and composer of the Ionian School .

Liveralis was the son of the Italian conductor Domenico Liberali and Ekaterini Miliorati, who came from Zakynthos. His six years older brother Andonios and the composer Nikolaos Mantzaros were his first teachers and supporters. He completed his training at the Conservatorio di Musica San Pietro a Majella in Naples . In 1840 he returned to Corfu and became a "sub- bandmaster " ( yparchimousikos υπαρχιμουσικός) lecturer at the first Greek Conservatory, the 'Philharmonic Society of Corfu' ( Φιλαρμονικὴ αταιρεια Κερκαρας ), where he also taught music from 18 . After the death of his brother in 1842, he was appointed Kapellmeister by Mantzaros. In 1852 he moved to Zakynthos , where he worked as a piano teacher. In the 1870s he also spent a few years in Patras .

Liveralis created several operas, which are the first grappling with the history of the Greek Revolution in musical theater . His songs were also influenced by patriotic themes. Except for a few excerpts, the stage works have been lost. Among other things, around 17 piano compositions have been preserved that reveal the virtuoso pianist and are among the earliest examples of genuine Greek piano music.

Works (selection)

Operas

• Rigas Ferreos ( Ρήγας Φερραῖος ), libretto Gerasimos Markoras, before 1850, Teatro San Giacomo, Corfu
• Markos Botsaris ( Μάρκος Μπότσαρης ), only first act before 1852 at the Teatro San Giacomo, Corfu
• I epistrofi tou Kanari ( Ἡ ἐπιστροφὴ τοῦ Κανάρη ‚The Return of the Kanaris '), only first act before 1852 at the Teatro San Giacomo, Corfu
• Arbace a Pompei ('Arbace in Pompeii'), 1850, extracts 1852 or later in Zakynthos

Vocal works

• O apocheretismos tis Kerkyras ( Ὁ ἀποχεραιτισμός τῆς Κερκύρας ) 'Farewell to Corfu', song and piano or orchestra, 1852
• I Dido engatalifthisa ( Ἡ Διδὼ ἐγκαταλειφθεῖσα 'The Abandoned Dido'), voice and piano or orchestra
• Alis ke Tzavellas ( Ἀλῆς καὶ Τζαβέλλας ' Ali and Tzavellas'), two voices and piano or orchestra

Piano works

• Le Réveil du Klepht. Souvenir des Chants Populaires de la Grèce ('The awakening of Kleften . Souvenir of Greek folk songs'), 1847

literature

• Giorgos Leotsakos : Light under a bushel, Piano works by greek composers 1847-1908 , Iraklio (Crete University Press) 1999, ISBN 960-524-069-2