Donizetti Pasha (Guiseppe Donizetti), Italian origin Turkish musician, (born in Bergamo, 1788 – died in Istanbul, 1856, he is buried in St. Esprit cathedral crypt which is in the premises of Notre Dame De Sion French High School.)
He is the elder brother of Gaetano Donizetti. The Italian musician Guiseppe Donizetti started his music career by conducting bands in Italy and France. After the Mehterhane was abolished, he was appointed to establish and conduct Mızıkay-ı Hümayun (music conservatory) in Istanbul by Mahmut II. Donizetti came to Istanbul in 1828 September 17 and remained in this position until his death in 1856. He established a military band soon after his arrival in the Palace and brought it to such a level that the band could play for the Sultan. He achieved the rank of Pasha in the Palace. Setting the principles of western classical music, he also realized the commencement of western classical music education in Turkey.
The Mahmudiye March, he composed for Mahmud II was played for eleven years, and the Mecidiye March, he composed for Abdülmecid in 1839 was played for twenty two years as the National Anthem of the Ottoman Empire. Besides, the western music tradition starting with Mahmut II, flourished in the Ottoman Empire during the years Donizetti Pasha served in the Palace through the Italian opera groups which came to stage Verdi’s operas in Istanbul, Beyoğlu after their gala performance in Italy. When all these are taken into consideration, one can say that the western music and opera tradition in Turkey started and developed with Donizetti Pasha.