Un Italiano in Corcira: Severiano Fogacci’s music-related activities during his exile in Corfu (1831-1846)

Abstract

Severiano Fogacci, the main subject of this essay, lived in an era of liberal movements and social upheaval in the Italian peninsula and Europe in general. He can be considered a typical member of the post-napoleonic Italian generation, since he was born in 1803.1 His birthplace, Ancona, then belonged to the Papal States and he therefore was brought up in an environment, which was rather conservative. Moreover, his family did not belong among the privileged of that city. Severiano lost his father, Giovanni, when he was very young and this led to his entry to the local seminario, where he began his studies. After five years there he continued his education in the public high school of Ancona, during a period full of political changes. Fogacci early demonstrated a passion for Latin and Italian literature, as well as a desire to become familiar with the aesthetic trends then developing. His political orientation in an era of social and political upheaval was becoming clearer at this time as well: by 1824 he had established connections with the carbonari, as he did not consider the papal administration successful in managing the new post-restoration conditions in the Italian peninsula. Thus Fogacci became a fervent patriot and supporter of Italian independence.