Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians

(1927; v.1, p.427-8)

BOTTESINI, GIOVANNI (b. Crema, Lombardy, Dec. 24, 1822(sic); d. Parma, July 7, 1889), a celebrated virtuoso on the doublebass, also conductor and composer.

            He was the son of a good musician and clarinet-player of his native town, and as a boy sang in the chapel choir. He early displayed such a remarkable talent for music that at the age of 11 application was made for him to be admitted to the Conservatorio at Milan. It so happened that there was only one vacant place, and that for a contrabassist. Bottesini accordingly began the study of the double bass, was admitted at the Conservatorio, and, it is said, before long played almost as well as he did afterwards, when his marvellous command over this unwieldy instrument excited the admiration of the whole musical world of Europe. His masters were Rossi for the double bass, Basili and Vaccaj for harmony and composition. On leaving the Conservatorio he travelledwith his fellow-pupil Arditi (then a violin-player), and afterwards went to America. Eventually he accepted a lucrative engagement at the Havana as principal double bass in the orchestra, which he retained for main years. Here his first opera, 'Christophe Colombe.' was given in 1847.

            His first appearance in England was on June 26, 1849, at the Musical Union, where he played the violoncello part of one of Onslow's quintets, which, it will be remembered, contain prominent solo passages for the instrument. By his performance of this and a solo he astonished all present. Those alone who have heard him play can realise the beauty of the performance.