Giovanni Paisiello, an Italian composer, born in Taranto, May 9, 1741, died in Naples, June 5, 1816. He was educated in the conservatory of St. Onofrio at Naples under Durante, and at the age of 20 was a prolific composer of masses, psalms, motets, etc. His first opera was produced in 1703 at Bologna, and during the next 13 years he is said to have composed upward of 50 for the chief cities of Italy. Most of these speedily sunk into oblivion. The most celebrated of his earlier operas was Dal finto al rero. In 1776 he accepted an invitation from Catharine II. to establish himself in St. Petersburg, where he remained nine years, producing several operas and oratorios, and a variety of miscellaneous pieces. Some of his best works belong to this period, particularly 11 harhiere di Sa-iglia. Going to Vienna, he composed for the emperor Joseph II. 12 symphonies, and the opera buff a Il re Teodoro, which affords the first instance of the use of the finale in this class of compositions. On his return to Naples in 1785 he was appointed royal chapelmaster, and for many years remained in that city, writing an occasional opera for London and other cities. In 1799 he was national director of music under the republic, for which he remained several years in disgrace after the return of the royal family.

In 1802 he went to Paris, to be chapelmaster to the first consul. In 1804 he was restored to his office of royal chapelmaster at Naples, in which he was retained by Joseph Bonaparte and Murat. Paisiello's works comprise 27 grand and 51 buffo operas, 8 interludes, and a vast collection of cantatas, oratorios, masses, and the ordinary forms of instrumental music. Some of his melodies, as "Hope told a flattering Tale," have had a wide popularity.