The Carnival of Venice

Giulio Briccialdi (1818-1881) was born in Terni, Italy in the Papal States and studied flute with his father until the age of 14. Following the passing of his father, Briccialdi moved to Rome, where he studied composition and was appointed to the Accademia di Santa Cecilia as flute teacher. He would ultimately go on to teach flute to Italian royalty, including the king's brother. He also toured as a performer throughout Europe and America and finally settled in London becoming a director of the flutemaking firm, Rudall and Rose. During this time, he was responsible for several mechanical developments which are still in use today, notably the B-flat lever. Outside of Briccialdi's important contributions to flute instrument making, this virtuoso arrangement of the popular theme would become one of his most enduring legacies. This exclusive edition of Carnival of Venice (Il Carnevale di Venezia) for flute and piano is edited, arranged and performed by Sir James Galway.