Francesco Paolo Tosti

Bio

Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846–1916) was an Italian composer and singing teacher whose lyrical songs became staples of the late-Romantic vocal repertoire. Born in Ortona on the Adriatic coast, he studied at the Naples Conservatory and later moved to Rome, where he gained the patronage of the Italian royal family. In 1875 Tosti settled in London, serving as singing instructor to the British royal household and publishing dozens of elegant, Italianate ballads that enjoyed wide popularity in Victorian drawing rooms. His best-known works, such as “L’ultima canzone,” “Malia,” and “Ideale,” combine graceful melodies with refined accompaniments and remain frequently performed today. Tosti returned to Italy in later life and was elected to the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia; he died in Rome in 1916.