Luigi Hugues (27 October 1836 – 5 March 1913) was an Italian academic geographer and accomplished amateur musician. He is best known today as a composer and arranger of virtuoso works for the flute, and for his contributions to the teaching and history of geography.
Luigi Hugues died in Casale Monferrato at the age of 76. Viale Luigi Hugues, a street in Turin, is named in his honour.
Although Hugues’ musical works are recognized for their instrumental virtuosity, they are not always taken entirely seriously. Flautist and teacher Fenwick Smith refers to their “brilliance and vacuity” and writes of the Grand Concert Fantasy on Verdi’s Ballo in Maschera:
“With a flutist’s knowledge of the instrument, which permits him to conjure more notes per square inch than Verdi ever dreamed of, and with the Italians’ sure sense of drama, Hugues has concocted a paragon among potboilers.” [1]
Paola Sereno (2005-07-15). "Luigi Hugues". Accademia delle Scienze di Torino. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27.
"Contributo alla prima biografia di Pietro Eugenio Luigi Hugues (Casale Monferrato, 27 ottobre 1836-ivi, 5 marzo 1913)." ed. Comune di Casale Monferrato - A cura di Claudio Paradiso. Casale Monferrato (Alessandria), 2001; pp. 366, 12 ill., cm 16x23