Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) was born in Bergamo, Italy of humble origins. His father was an assistant at the village pawnshop. In 1806, at the age of 9, he was able to attend a charitable school and there met the then famous composer, Simone Mayr, who became his mentor and lifelong friend. Donizetti is well-known, of course, as a composer for the opera. However, many will be surprised to learn that he did write a fair amount of chamber music, including 18 string quartets, some string quintets, piano trios, and an octet for winds and strings along with several other instrumental works.
Donizetti's first string quartet is an early work which dates from 1817, while the composer was still studying with Mayr. The opening movement, Allegro, begins in a relaxed genial fashion, but soon several very rapid passages in all of the voices but mostly the first violin give the music a an almost frantic quality. In the second subject, which appears only briefly, we hear a kind of operatic interlude. The second movement, Largo, is deeply felt and has a more finished quality. Mayr set Haydn's quartets as an example for his young pupil but the Minuetto, which is marked presto, though certainly classical does not imitate Haydn's style but has a more vocal quality. The finale, Allegro, is full of youthful energy.
While no great masterpiece, this charming work nonetheless is a worthwhile representative of the early Italian romantic movement and shows Donizetti's early development.