An Italian composer and double bass player who was a lifelong friend of Verdi, a student of Rossi, Ray, Vaccai and Basili. His compositions, for the most part, were well-received having written a number of operas ("Christoforo Colombo", "Vinciguerra", "Ali Baba", "Ero e Leandro", and "La regina di Nepal") and conducted as well including the debut of Verdi's "Aida". But Bottesini was profoundly influential in double bass technique. He wrote compositions (and also performed any piece exceptionally) that are not played only because of their exceeding virtuosity. Bottesini did more to advance the playing of the double bass than any person past or present extending the range and the character of the instrument far above its former status (and on only three strings!). ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi