Giuseppe Ferrata

Giuseppe Ferrata
Ferrata playing piano in New Orleans in 1924
Background information
Also known asG.F. Casimiro Virowski (pseudonym)
BornJanuary 1, 1865
Gradoli, Italy
DiedMarch 28, 1928(1928-03-28) (aged 63)
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Occupations
  • Composer
  • Musician
  • University professor
  • Inventor
InstrumentPiano
Years active1886–1928
SpouseAlice Lagarde
Other namesPeppino
Parent(s)Paolo Ferrata
Lucia Donati
RelativesDomenico Ferrata[1]
FamilyDimitry Family (Creoles)


Giuseppe Ferrata (1865–1928) was an Italian-American pianist, composer, and university professor. He was a student of Giovanni Sgambati and Franz Liszt at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (English: National Academy of Saint Cecilia) in Rome, Italy.[2] Ferrata was knighted by the Royal Court of Portugal, the Royal Court of Belgium, and the King of Italy.[3][4][5]

Although Ferrata was productive in his early career in Italy, his most notable contributions occurred following his emigration to the United States, especially his time as a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. His opera "Il Fuoruscito" (English: "The Outcast") won accolades including a significant financial award as part of the Sonzogna Prize.[6]

Ferrata composed for two different audiences. Some of his works were composed for their popular appeal. Other compositions were intended to advance orchestral music as a musical art form, for audiences that were musicians, other composers, and people with deep appreciation of orchestral music.[7]

Ferrata was also an inventor, having obtained three United States Patents.[8]

  1. ^ Eanes 1995, pp. 126–127.
  2. ^ Eanes 1995, p. 17.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Asher was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Exponent was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grove was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Famous Composer Dies in New Orleans". The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi). March 29, 1928.
  7. ^ Eanes 1995, pp. 5–6.
  8. ^ Eanes 1995, pp. 43–46.