Life and career
Early life: Born in Naples into a musical family, Giordani received his training there. He was the eldest son of Giuseppe Giordani (senior), a singer and impresario, and Antonia Giordani.
European travels: Starting in the mid-1740s, his family formed a touring opera company that performed across Europe. They appeared in Graz (1748), Frankfurt (1750), and Amsterdam (1752) before settling in London.
London debut: The family performed at Covent Garden in the 1753–1754 season. Tommaso made his debut as a composer in 1756 with his comic opera La comediante fatta cantatrice.
Settling in Dublin: Giordani moved to Dublin in 1764 and became a leading musician in the Irish capital for many years. He worked as a musical director at the Smock Alley Theatre and also taught music.
Irish accomplishments: He produced more than 50 English and Italian operas, including The Genius of Ireland (1784). He was also the organist for St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral from 1784 to 1798.
Business ventures: Giordani founded an opera house in Dublin in 1783, but like his music shop, it was not a financial success.
Later years: After a brief return to London, he lived out the rest of his life in Dublin. He died in February 1806.
Notable compositions
"Caro mio ben": Giordani is most famous for the song "Caro mio ben" (1783), which was once mistakenly attributed to his younger brother, Giuseppe Giordani.
Oratorio: His oratorio Isaac was produced in 1767.
Instrumental works: He composed a large body of instrumental works, including overtures, sonatas, concertos, and string quartets.
Sacred music: Giordani wrote sacred music, including a Te Deum to celebrate the recovery of King George III in 1789.
Legacy
Giordani's influence on the Irish music scene was significant. His pupils included important figures like Lady Morgan, and he helped launch the career of John Field, the inventor of the nocturne.