Liberati, Allesandro, 1847-1927

Alessandro Liberati, cornetist, band leader, and composer was born Aug. 24 [July 7] 1847 in Frascati, Italy. He began studying cornet at twelve, and at fourteen, he made his public debut on the cornet, performing an aria from Il trovatore. Enlisting in the Papal Army in 1864, he played with the First Cacciatori Band of Rome for two years, and in 1866, he performed bugle in Garibaldi's army. He enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in 1871 and was captured as a prisoner of war in the Franco-Prussian War. From 1866 to 1872, Liberati performed throughout Italy on his cornet, conducted bands, and taught the cornet. Patrick Gilmore heard of Liberati and asked him to be a special soloist for his Peace Jubilee of 1872. In 1873, he became director and cornet soloist all Canadian Artillery Band. In 1875, he was asked to be the director of the Michigan National Guard Band in Detroit and the Detroit Police Bugle Band. In 1876, he became an American citizen and he and his bands were invited to perform at the Centennial Exposition of the same year in Philadelphia. He was engaged as soloist in various venues. In 1889, Liberati organized his own band and billed it as "The World Renowned Liberati Band," later known as Grand Military Band. In the 1890s Liberati made a number of recordings for Edison. Continued performing and conducting until mid 1920s. Died Nov. 6, 1927 in New York.