Gian Carlo Menotti

Gian Carlo Menotti (born July 7, 1911 Cadegliano, Lake Lugano, Italy - died February 1, 2007, Monte Carlo, Monaco) was an Italian composer and librettist. Menotti was enrolled at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia in 1928 at the age of 16, where he befriended Samuel Barber. He founded the Spoleto arts festival in 1958 after returning to Italy in 1957.