Traetta, Tommaso
(1727–1779)
Traetta, Tommaso (3–30–1727, Bitonto, near Bari; 4–6–1779, Venice). Italian comp. Following study in Naples and a successful early career in Parma and Venice, he accepted a position at the court of Catherine II, succeeding Galuppi, who had departed in 1768. He taught members of the Court and became director of the opera. There he also produced one of his finest works, Antigone, notable for its early use of recurring motives associated with particular characters and emotions. Plagued by poor…