Domenico Cimarosa (17 December 1749 – 11 January 1801) was an Italian opera composer. Cimarosa was born in Aversa, near Naples. His parents were poor, but anxious to give their son a good education. After moving to Naples, they sent him to a free school connected with one of the monasteries in that city. The organist of the monastery, Padre Polcano, was struck by the boy's intellect, and voluntarily instructed him in the elements of music, and also in the ancient and modern literature of his country.