In reviewing the career of this singularly gifted Italian melodist, it is impossible to resist the conclusion that his talents were worthy of a nobler development. Among his sacred works the "_Stabat Mater_" is the most popular. It contains some very beautiful chromatic writing, and is really an art work of distinguished merit. His latest work was the "_Messe Solennelle_" (1864). Rossini was fond of good living, very witty in conversation, and his house was frequented by the most brilliant wits and the best artists of the thirty years between "William Tell" and his death. Upon the whole, the most brilliant master of Italian opera during this period was Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), who was born at Bergamo and educated at Naples. His first opera was produced in Vienna in 1818, but his first complete success was "_Anna Bolena_," which was written for Milan in 1830, the principal parts having been taken by Pasta and Rubini. Soon after this followed "_L'Elisir d'Amore_" (1832), "_Lucia di Lammermoor_" (Naples, 1835), "_Lucrezia Borgia_" (1834), "_Belisario_" (1836), "_Poliuto_" (1838), "_La Fille du Regiment_" (1840), "_La Favorita_," "_Linda di Chamounix_" (1842), "_Don Pasquale_" (1843). Besides these well known works there were many others, the total number reaching sixty-three, brought out in various Italian theaters and in Paris. Donizetti's traits as a composer are pleasant melody, effective concerted pieces (as, for instance, the sextette in "_Lucia_," which is perhaps the best concerted piece in Italian opera), and a good constructive ability. Like Rossini he was a writer of florid music, and "_Lucia_" remains one of the favorite numbers of _coloratura_ singers to the present day, which, considering that more than fifty years have intervened since it was composed, is a great compliment.