FRANCESCO MORLACCHI. — Musician, b. in Perugia on 14 June 1784, d. in Innsbruck on 28 Oct. 1841. He studied in his native city, and later perfected his art in Loreto with Zingarelli and in Bologna with Fr. Mattei.
He began with various sacred compositions. Turning to the theatre, he wrote several operas that met with favourable success. In 1810 he was called to the court of Dresden as Kapellmeister and director of the Italian Opera, drawing inspiration from the great German classics. He composed the oratorios: *La Passione* (Dresden, 1812), *Isacco* (ibid. 1817), *La morte di Abele* (ibid. 1821), ten Masses, including a Requiem for the King of Saxony, motets, psalms and other sacred pieces, as well as sonatas for organ and chamber music. Pius VII decorated him with the Order of the Golden Militia and the title of Count Palatine.