Donizetti, Gaetano, don ih ZEHT ee, gah eh TAH now (1797-1848), was an Italian opera composer. During his lifetime, he ranked second only to Gioacchino Rossini among Italian opera composers of his day. Donizetti wrote about 65 operas and operettas, and became famous for his beautiful, charming melodies and the dramatic pace and romantic vitality of his operas. Donizetti established his reputation with the opera Anna Bolena (1830).