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Italian composer renowned for revolutionizing opera with his raw, emotional verismo style.Born in Livorno, Italy, Mascagni achieved overnight fame with his one-act opera 'Cavalleria rusticana' (1890), a cornerstone of verismo. Despite composing 15 operas, he never replicated its success. He held directorships at the Pesaro Conservatory (1895-1902) and Rome's Liceo Musicale (1909-1927). His later years were marred by association with Mussolini's fascist regime, leading to post-WWII disgrace.

• Mascagni composed 'Cavalleria rusticana' in just 8 weeks for a publishing competition, winning first prize against 73 rivals. Its 1890 premiere caused a sensation, making him internationally famous at age 26.
• His subsequent operas like 'L'amico Fritz' (1891) and 'Iris' (1898) were critically acclaimed but failed to match 'Cavalleria's' popularity, leading to lifelong artistic frustration.
• He controversially joined the Fascist Party in 1932, composed the anthem 'Giovinezza' for Mussolini, and served as president of Italy's Royal Academy of Music under the regime. This led to his dismissal from all positions after WWII.
• Mascagni died penniless and heartbroken in a Rome hotel room in 1945. His funeral was sparsely attended due to his fascist affiliations, though his music was posthumously rehabilitated.
• A perfectionist conductor, he made over 200 recordings of 'Cavalleria rusticana' but forbade his family from watching performances, declaring: 'You only hear my true intentions in the score.'