The Song of a Life

Born in Ortona in 1846, Francesco Paolo Tosti attended the Conservatory at Naples when he was twelve, and went on to become a gifted violinist and teacher as well as achieving fame as a singer and composer. He lived in Rome (1870-1875) as teacher to Princess Margerita of Savoy before moving to London in 1875 where he was singing master to the children of Queen Victoria. Tosti composed and performed throughout this time. He became closely involved with the Ricordi publishing house, who put out all of Tosti's chamber art songs except for a few released by Chappel and Enoch in England, all of which were extremely successful. In all, some 400 works by Tosti were circulated throughout his life and his popularity continued after his death.