Out of Italian Gaetano Donizetti or Czech Bedřich Smetana, which opera composer lived and worked earlier?
Gaetano Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (] ; 29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was an Italian composer. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, Donizetti was a leading composer of the "bel canto" opera style during the first half of the nineteenth century. Donizetti's close association with the bel canto style was undoubtedly an influence on other composers such as Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901).
Giovanni Ruffini Giovanni Ruffini (1807, Genoa – 1881) was an Italian poet of the early 19th century. He is chiefly known for having written the draft of the libretto of the opera "Don Pasquale" for its composer Gaetano Donizetti.