Capocci, Gaetano, 1811-1898
Life
Born: October 16, 1811, Rome
Died: January 11, 1898, Rome
Biography Gaetano Capocci was born in Rome, the son of Paolo Capocci and Giacinta Botticelli. He studied philosophy and theology, then organ and composition, graduating at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. A deeply religious man, he devoted himself to sacred music in preference to secular, despite the poor pay. He lived all his life in Rome, declining invitations he received from abroad. Was choirmaster at S. Maria in Vallicella and organist at S. Maria Maggiore. He was also appointed choirmaster at St. John Lateran, and in the course of his service he wrote a large number of compositions for various occasions, even extraordinary, including the celebration of the establishment of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. He received the Knight's Cross of the Order of St. Sylvester, conferred by Pope Pius IX, and the Knightly Order of St. Pius V by Leo XIII. He strove for a reform of sacred music in Rome. He was a prolific author, as well as an acclaimed organist. He had among his students, in addition to his son Filippo (1840-1911), the Queen Margherita.
