Leoncavallo was born in Naples, Italy. He studied literature at the University of Bologna. He was a proficient pianist and briefly tutored the Khedive of Cairo. Unrest in Egypt drove him to France and eventually back to Italy where he began composing Operas. He spent much of his career competing with Puccini for the limelight, falling short more often than not.
Kenneth Leighton was born in Yorkshire. He excelled in his studies and double-majored in the Classics and Music at Queen's College, Oxford. He was assisted along the way by Gerald Finzi and Ralph Vaughan Williams. He held several teaching posts around England, concluding his career as the Reid Professor of Music in Edinburgh. He was prolific and successful as both a composer and educator.
Jean-Marie Lecalri I'ainé was born in Lyon. He studied violin in Turin and returned to Paris where his compositions gained the attendance of Louis XV. He served in his court and then was brought to Leeuwarden by the Princess of Orange. He then returned to Paris and served the Duke of Gramont for the rest of his life. He was a renowned Baroque composer and violinist.
William Lawes was born in Salisbury. Both his father and his uncle were successful musicians and he was apprenticed to composer John Coprario. Through that apprenticeship, they were given court appointments in Charles I's court in London. He was killed serving the Royalists during the English Civil War.
Orlande de Lassus was born in Mons during the Hapsburg era of the Netherlands. Historians say he was kidnapped on three separate occasions because of how beautiful his singing voice was. He traveled to Sicily, Milan, and Naples working as a singer and composer. He found success and returned to the low countries to work in the court of Albrecht V. He served the Duke and his successor Wilhelm V for the rest of his life. He is known for contributing to polyphonic choral music in the vein of Palestrina and Victoria.
Leonard Constant Lambert was born near Horsham in West Sussex. He was prodigious and produced an orchestral work as a teenager. He studied under Ralph Vaughan Williams and others at the Royal College of Music. He endeavored to integrate Jazz ideas into his compositions. He was an accomplished artist in several avenues and served primarily as the director of the Royal Ballet in some capacity until his death.
Édouard-Victoire-Antoine Lalo was born in Lille. He studied under Habeneck at the Paris Conservatoire and taught string lessons in Paris. He produced a few operas and a significant repertoire of string chamber music. His piano concerto was adapted by Jarre for the score to Lawrence of Arabia.
