Born in Paris on 10 July 1790, Maria Caterina Celeste was the daughter of Giovanni Battista and granddaughter of Sebastiano Erard, renowned harp and piano makers. On 3 August 1811, she married Gaspare Spontini, who was then thirty-seven years old. The marriage was particularly welcomed by Empress Josephine, which is attested by the notarial deed regulating the financial relations between the two spouses signed by “Joséphine”. Although she remained in his shadow Celeste played an important role in the musician’s artistic life, illustrated by the dedication of his greatest work, Agnes von Hohenstaufen, to her. The Spontinis had no children, but this never affected their loving and harmonious relationship; instead, it led to the establishment of many charitable works in favour of Jesi and Maiolati. On Spontini’s death Celeste continued to administer the Opere Pie, revealing the sensitivity and love she felt for her beloved husband and for the small town that was home to his grave. She always had a desire to live in Maiolati despite being accustomed to the luxurious and refined life of European courts, as evidenced by this sentence from her correspondence: ‘The immense city of London is… marvellous… Now, if I had the choice, I would gladly take my little house in Majolati rather than a palace in this first capital of the world.’
