Giordani, Giuseppe (called Giordanello): (b. 19 Dec. 1745, Naples. d. 4 January 1798, Fermo, Italy). Composer. The son of singer and composer Carmine Giordani, he studied music at Conservatory of Loreto at Naples. In 1771, he produced his first opera at Naples. In 1791 he became Maestro di Capella at Fermo Cathedral. During his career he wrote over 30 operas and oratorios. The canzonetta Caro Mio Ben is attributed to him.
Giordano, Luca: (b. 1634, Naples. d. 1705, Naples). Painter. A pupil of J. Ribera, he moved to Rome in 1656 where he came under the influence of Pietro da Cortona and other members of the Neo-Venetian school. He produced a number of copies of Renaissance-era masterpieces, working with such speed and simplicity that he earned the nickname “Luca Fapresto.” He visited several cities in northern Italy including Bologna, Parma, Florence and Venice. From 1692 to 1702, he was a court painter to the Spanish king Charles II. Principal Works:Storie della Vergine [church of S. Maria della Salute, Venice, 1667].Church of Sant’Agostino degli Scalzi [Naples, 1658].Church of San Gregorio Armeno [Naples].Church of Santa Brigida [Naples].Ceiling of the Gallery in Palazzo Medici-Riccardi [Florence, 1682-1702].Paintings in Escorial, Palazzo Reale, and Prado [all Madrid, 1692-1702].Frescoes in the Capella del Tesoro di San Martino [Naples, 1704].
Giordano, Umberto Menotti Maria: (b. 26 Aug. 1867, Foggia. d. 12 Nov. 1948, Milan). Composer. Having received his musical education at the Royal College of Music in Naples, he produced his first opera, Marina, in that city. Moving to Milan, he achieved only minor success until 1896 when he produced his opera Andrea Chenier. His work in similar to that of Puccini and Leoncavallo.
Giovanna I: See Joanna I, Queen of Naples (r1343-1382).
Giovanna II: See Joanna II, Queen of Naples (r1414-1435).
Giovanni: Bishop of Capua (r ?-966). Archbishop of Capua (r966-973).
Giovanni (John) II: Duke of Naples (AD 915-919). He was the probable son of Gregory IV and the probable father of Marino (Marinus) I.
Giovanni (John) III: Duke of Naples (AD 928-963). He was the probable son of Marino (Marinus) I and the father of Marino (Marinus) II. He married Teodora (Theodora) of Byzantium.
Giovanni (John) IV: (d. 1002). Duke of Naples (AD 999-1002). He was the son of Sergius (Sergio) III and the father of Landolfo.
Giovinazzo (BA): A commune in the province of Bari. Population: 20,827 (2006e).
Giratiosus: (fl. 1st half of the 7th century). Ecclesiastic. Bishop of Naples. He succeeded Caesarius in either AD 638 or 641, and was succeeded by Eusebius in either AD 646 or 649.
Girgenti: Former name for Agrigento.
Girifalco (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 6,390 (2006e).
Gissi (CH): A commune in the province of Chieti. Population: 3,034 (2006e).
Giuggianello (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 1,232 (2006e).
Giugliano in Campania (NA): A commune in the province of Napoli.
Giuliana (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Giuliani, Mauro: (b. 27 July 1781, Bisceglie. d. 8 May 1829, Naples). Composer and musician. He is considered one of the greatest guitar virtuosos of the 19th century. During the course of his career he produced 150 compositions for guitar.
Giuliano Teatino (CH): A commune in the province of Chieti. Population: 1,328 (2006e).
Giulianova (TE): A commune in the province of Teramo.
Giungano (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Giurdignano (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 1,802 (2006e).
Gizzeria (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 3,946 (2006e).
gnorimoi: ancient Greek term for the noble or aristocratic class. The term is synonymous with eupatridai.
Godrano (Sic. Cutranu) (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Goffredo: Archbishop of Capua (r 1137-1157).
Gorgias of Leotini: (fl. c485-380 BC). Greek sophist.
Gorgoglione (MT): A commune in the province of Matera. Population: 1,094 (2006e).
Goriano Sicoli (AQ): A commune in the province of L‘Aquila. Population: 595 (2006e).