The Italian Opera Aria
on the London Stage 1705-1801




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'Sei tutti i mali miei' from L'Olimpiade, 1774

Authority List for Singers

SurnameChristian nameOther namesLife datesSeason dates active as reorded in London librettosComment
AdambergerValentinBDA: Also as Adamonti.1740/1743-18041777-78; 1778-79BDA: '...travelled to Italy. There he took the name of Adamonti, ...'; Life dates: BDA gives 1743-1804
AlbergottiVittoriafl. 17131712-1713Michael Kelly, Reminiscences of Michael Kelly (London: Henry Colburn, 1826), II, 383, refers to her as 'an admired Romana'.
AlbuzioOttavioLIS: Also as Albuzzi, and Albrizzi.fl. 1737-17661753-54
AllegrantiTeresaMaddelena. Later Mrs Harrison.1754-after 18011781-82; 1782-83; 1798-99BDA: Maddalena; life dates in BDA: c. 1750 - c. 1802.
AmbroseMrsnée Mahon.fl. 1770-17891786-87BDA: 'Her husband perhaps was John Ambrose, the instrumentalist and composer.'
AmorettiGiustinaAlso as Moretti; also as Justina.fl. 1747-17541748-49; 1749-50Probably the same singer as Giustina Moretti. BDA: fl. 1748-1749.
AmorevoliAngelo1716-981741-42; 1742-43
AndreoniGiovannid. 1797; fl. 1739-17421739-40; 1741-42BDA: only 'Andreoni, Mr'
AngelelliAugustaStage name of Mrs Vittorio Correr, née Wynne.fl. 17981797-98
AnnibaliDomenicoStage name: Annibalino.1705-1779?1736-37
AnsaniGiovanni1744-18261780-81; 1781-82BDA: 'Ansani's wife, Giuseppa Macchierini, ...'
AntinoriLuigic.1697-17341725-26
ArneCecilianée Young. BDA: Mrs Thomas Augustine Arne.1712-17891738-39BDA: Life dates 1711-1789. See also Cecilia Young.
BabbiniMatteo1754-18161784-85; 1785-86BDA: 'Babbini made his first appearance in England at the King's Theatre in the role of Artabano in Artaserse on 16 April 1785. ... made his final London appearance on 11 July 1786.'
BagnolesiAnnaAlso Bagnoleti. Stage name of Signora Giovanni Battista Pinacci. fl. 1726-17431731-32
BainiCeciliafl. 1759-17641763-64
BalatriFilippoAlso Dionisio and Salatri.1676-17561714-?1715
Baldassari Benedettofl. 1708-17251711-1712; 1719-20
BaldiAntoniofl. 1714–17351725-26; 1726-27; 1727-28BDA: only 'Baldi, Signor'; Season dates: '... seems to have first appeared on the London stage as Annabale in ELISa at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket on 15 January 1726.'
BalelliAntoniofl. 1778-17911786-87; 1787-88; 1788-89
BandieraAnnafl. 17561755-56Her name appears in a 1757 printed libretto which was produced after the performances.
BantiBrigidanée Giorgi. Also Brighitta, Brigitta, Signora Zaccaria Banti.1755-18061794-95; 1795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1798-99; 1799-1800; 1800-1801BDA: Life dates c. 1756-1806.
BantiCeciliafl. 17641763-64Cecila Banti is recorded singing only in the opera Senocrita. No record in BDA.
BarattiFrancesco fl. 1740-17681753-54; 1754-55BDA: Also Baretti.
BarbierJanefl. c. 1692; will proved 17571711-1712; 1712-1713; 1713-1714BDA: d. 1757.
BarthélemonMaria née Young. Also Polly, Mary, Mrs Francois Hippolyte Barthélemon. c. 1749-17991766-67BDA: Mary Later Mrs Henslowe (that is, according to BDA, not her, but Cecilia, her daughter). See also Polly Young.
BartoliniVincenzioAlso Bertolinifl. 1770-17991782-83; 1783-84; 1784-85; 1785-86
BassaneseBaldassare *fl. 1764-17691767-68; 1768-69BDA: No record.
BeardJohn1716/17-17911734-35; 1734-35; 1735-36; 1736-37
BelloliMariannafl. 1793-17981792-93
BendlerSalomonBDA: Also Bendeler, Blender1683-17241711-1712
BenelliAntonio Peregrino1771-18301797-98; 1798-99; 1799-1800
BenigniGiuseppefl. 17901789-90
BeniniAnnaBDA: Also Signora Bernardo Mengozzi.fl. 1772-17981786-87BDA: 'The soprano seems not to have used her married name on the stage in London, ...'
BenucciFrancescoBDA: or Pietro?c. 1745-18241788-89BDA: 'The basso singer Benucci is given the name Francesco by Grove but Pietro by the Enciclopedia dello spettacolo.'
BerenstadtGaetanoBDA: Also Berenstatt, Barenstadt.1687-17341723-24
BernacchiAntonioBDA: Maria. 1685-17561716-1717; 1729-30
BernardiFrancescoAlso Francis. Stage name: Senesino.d. by 27 January 17591720-1728; 1730-1736; 1720-21; 1726-27; 1727-28; 1735-36BDA: Life dates c. 1680 - c. 1759.
BernardiRosafl. 1768-17811771-72
BernasconiAntoniac. 1741-?18031778-79; 1779-80BDA: b. c. 1740; 'She died sometime after 1783.'
BerselliMatteoAlso Berscelli, Bresselli, Berzellifl. 1705-1721 1720-21
BertolliFrancesca BDA: Also Bartholdi, Bartoldi, Bertholdi, Bertoldi, Bertoli.fl. from 1728; d. 17671729-30; 1731-32; 1732-33; 1733-34; 1734-35; 1735-36; 1736-37
BerwillibaldGiorgio Giacomo. BDA: Stage name: Giorgio Giacomo.fl. 17161715-16
BianchiFrancescofl. 1748-17641748-49; 1749-50
BianchiSignorfl. 1767-17701769-70LIS: Suggests that this Signor Bianchi is the same singer who appeared in the 1789-90 season.
BianchiSignorfl. 1789-17901789-90LIS: Suggests that this Signor Bianchi is the same singer who appeared in the 1769-70 season.
BigiGiacintafl. 1791-18001795-96; 1796-97
BillingtonElizabethBDA: née Weichsel. Also Mrs James Billington.1765-18181786-87BDA: 1765 or 1768 - 1818; 'On 10 March 1774 she and Carl played in a concert at the Haymarket for their mother's benefit.'; 'At Covent Garden on 13 February 1786 Elizabeth Billington made her first appearance in a dramatic role in London, ...'; the season dates are more differentiated in BDA, absences from London during the first period, etc. 'The departure of Elizabeth, her husband, and her brother from London for the Continent in 1794 ...'; 'Mrs Billington formally retired 3 May 1811 ... She sang one final time, however, at Whitehall Chapel in 1814 ...'.
BollaMariafl. 1794-18041799-1800; 1800-1801
BolsettiSignorafl. 17891788-89BDA: No record.
BolsettiSignorfl. 17891788-89BDA: No record.
BonfantiLuigifl. 1787-18001794-95; 1795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98See also Buonfanti.
Bonfanti *Signora Luigifl. 1794-17981794-95; 1797-98See also Buonfanti.
BordoniFaustinaLater Signora Johann Adolph Hasse. Stage name: Faustina.1697-17811726-27; 1727-28BDA: Life dates 1700?-1781. 'Faustina Bordoni was born, according to some sources, in 1700 at Venice; other sources date her birth in 1693 or 1698.'
Borghese *Signor fl. 17691769-70Signor Borghese is recorded singing only in L'Olimpiade.
BorghiAnna née Casentini. Also Signora Luigi Borghi; Anna Casentini Borghi; Signora C. Borghi; Signora Borghifl. 1787-17961793-94Anna Casentini married Luigi Borghi c. 1791.
BorosiniFrancescoAlso Borseni.c. 1690-after 17471724-25;1746-47
BorselliELISabettaAlso Signora Fausto Borselli.fl. 1789-17901788-89; 1789-90
BorselliFaustofl. 1788-17951788-89; 1789-90
BoschettiMengisBDA: Signora Mengismfl. 1770-17721769-70; 1771-72
BoschiFrancesca Vannini. BDA: Vanini. née ?. Also Signora Giuseppe Maria Boschi.fl. 1697-1711; d. 17441710-1711
BoschiGiuseppe Mariafl. 1698-17441710-1711;1720-21; 1721-22; 1722-23; 1723-24; 1724-25; 1725-26; 1726-27; 1727-28BDA: 'Giuseppe Boschi (or sometimes, in error, Girolamo Bolschi)'
Bosn *Signorafl. 1795-17961795-96Signora Bosn is recorded singing only in La bella Arsene, and her name appears only in the Larpent manuscript 1098.
BraghettiProsperoAlso Barghetti. fl. 1774-18101793-94; 1794-95; 1795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1798-99; 1800-1801
BrahamJohn1777?-18561796-97As outlined in ODNB, VII, 276, his birthdate is often given as 1774. BDA gives 1777 as certain and marks 1774 as wrong.
BridaLuigifl. 1791-17991794-95
BroschiCarloStage name: Farinelli1705-17821734-35; 1735-36; 1736-37
BruniDomenico1758-18211792-93
BuonfantiLuigiSee Bonfanti
BuonfantiSignora LuigiSee Bonfanti
BuroniSignorafl. 1777 1776-77
CaloriAngiolaCalore, Angela, Angioletta1732-c. 17901757-58; 1758-59; 1759-60; 1760-61Sartori: Indici II Cantanti.
CalvesiTeresafl. 1783-17951790-91; 1791-92BDA: wife of Vincenzo Calvesi.
CalvesiVincenzofl. 1777-18111786-87; 1787-88; BDA: 'Although he may have been with the English Opera as early as 1783, Signor Calvesi made his first noticed appearance at the King's Theatre as Fenicio in Alceste on 23 December 1786.'
CamatiMariaCalled: La Farinellafl. 1772-17751774-75
CampoliniLuisafl. 1749-17681767-68BDA: fl. 1767-1768. 'Signora Campolini was the first woman singer for serious opera at the King's Theater in 1767-68, ... She made her last appearance as Artenices in Sesostri on 10 March 1768, ...'
CapitaniPollyfl. 1759-17661759-60The dancer Polly Capitani, then aged 8, is recorded singing her only role, Logide, in Erginda, regina di Livadia on 31 May 1760.
CardarelliGiovannafl. 1768-17951775-76
CarestiniGiovanniCusanino, Carestinoc. 1704-c. 17601733-34; 1734-35; 1739-40 BDA: 1705-1760. BDA also lists performances at Covent Garden in 1735.
CarmignaniGiovannafl. 1753-17781762-63BDA lists Giovanni Carmignani, and, as uncertain, Signora Giovanni Carmignani, but without any details. 'Giovanni Carmignani sang in opera at the King's Theatre in 1762-63. ... A person billed as Signora Carmignani, according to The London Stage, sang with members of the King's Theatre at a concert given at the Haymarket on 9 June 1763 ... She may have been the wife of Giovanni Carmignani, though perhaps an error was made in the bill, resulting in the substitution of 'Signora' for 'Signor'.' LIS: gives her christian name as 'Giovannina.'
CarnevaleSignora Pietrofl. 1783-17921782-83; 1783-84
Carrara *AgateSignora Carrarafl. 1772–17881771-72; 1772-73
CasariniDomenicafl. 1737-17561746-47; 1747-48
CaselliMaria Maddalenafl. 1740-17541743-1744
CasentiniAnnaSee Anna Borghi.
CassaniGiuseppeAlso Cassaninofl. 1700-17281709-1710; 1711-1712
CastelliAnnafl. 1738-17581754-55
CatenacciMariafl. 1781-17941783-84; 1784-85; 1785-86
ChimentiMargheritaStage name: La Droghierina. fl. 1733-17461736-37; 1737-38BDA: '...and Matthusius in Demofoonte (she was listed as 'Mrs Marg Chianti, called Droghierina' in the edition of 1737).'
CiacchiGiuseppefl. 1736-17651746-47; 1747-48LIS, Indici II, 181: Suggests that 'Antonia', Signora Ciacchi, sang Idreno in La ingratitudine punita, but the libretto gives 'Sig.'
CiardiniDomenicofl. 17631762-63
Ciprandi Ercolefl. after 1753; d. after 17901754-55; 1764-65; 1765-66BDA: fl. 1754-1791?
CiprianiLorenzoAngelofl. 1783-17971790-91; 1791-92; 1794-95
ColombatiELISabettaAlso Colombanifl. 1781-18111793-94; 1794-95; 1795-96; 1797-98; 1800-1801
CommanoGiovanni Giuseppe fl. 1730-17321730-31
ConstantiniLiviafl. 1726-17271725-26
ContiGioacchino Stage name: Gizziello. Also Egissiello, Ghizziello.1714-17611736-37
ContiniGiovannafl. 1742-1743 1742-43
CoppolaGiuseppefl. 1764-17961777-78; 1778-79
CornacchiniEmanuele or Emanuelle Also Carnacchini, Cornacchiari, Cornacini.fl. 1748-17681759-60
CornelysTeresanée Imer. Also CorneLIS, Cornelles, Cornelys, Corneli, and Cornelius. Also Signora Pompeati.1725?-17971769-70See also Pompeati, Teresa. BDA: 1723-1797. Married to Angelo Pompeati. According to Burney, Teresa appeared in London for the first time at the King's Theatre as Signora Pompeati, on 7 January 1746. She married CorneLIS de Rigerbos, 'when she came to England in 1759, she bore his name which appeared in many forms in the playbills and newspapers: CorneLIS, Cornelles, Cornelys, Corneli, and Cornelius. In 1785, she disappeared from public record.
CorrerAugustanée Wynne. Mrs Vittorio. Stage name: Augusta Angelelli. fl. 17981797-98See also Augusta Angelelli.
CorriSignoranée Bacchelli. BDA: also Signora Domenico Corri.fl. c. 1770-d. before 18031767-68; 1768-69BDA: fl. 1771-1810.
CostaGioacchinofl. 1776-17931789-90
CremoniniClementinafl. 1763-651764-65
CremoniniDomenicofl. 1777-871784-85
CrescentiniGirolamo1762-18461784-85
CurioniRosafl. 1751-17711754-55; 1761-62
CuzzoniFrancescaLater Signora Pietro Giuseppe Sandoni and/or Signora San-Antonio Ferre. 1696-17781722-23; 1723-24; 1724-25; 1725-26; 1726-27; 1727-28; 1734-35; 1735-36BDA: c. 1700-1770. BDA: It is uncertain if she really married Sandoni or if she divorced him later; but she used his name offstage.
D'Amira *Signorafl. 17931792-93Signora D'Amira is recorded singing only in Le nozze di Dorina, and her name appears only in the Larpent manuscript 1003.
D'OrtaRacheleLater Rachele d’Orta Giorgifl. 1766-18001783-84; 1784-85Rachele d’Orta is only recorded singing one role under her married name of Giorgi, that of Clorinda in Il Curioso Indiscreto.
D'OrtaRosinafl. 1777-17841783-84
DanziFrancescaAlso Franziska. Also Franziska Lebrun, Mme Ludwig August Lebrun.1756-17911777-78See also Franziska Lebrun
DaviesCecilia1756/7-18361773-74; 1775-76; 1776-77BDA: 1753?-1836; 'Earlier editions of Grove stated that Cecilia had made her first appearance in public at a concert in the Great Room in Dean Street, Soho, on 28 April 1756, but her name is not found in the list of vocal performers on that occasion.'; 'By 1765 she was back to London to sing in a performance of Solomon at Marylebone Gardens on 6 August, ...'; BDA lists concerts in London 1765/66- 1768.
De AmicisAnna LuciaAlso Signora Domenico De Amicis.c. 1733-18161762-63
De AmicisDomenicofl. 1742-17631762-63
De GiovanniPasqualeAlso Di Giovannifl. 1773-18201795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1798-99; 1799-1800; 1800-1801
De l'EpineMargherita Also as Signora Margarita, Margarita. BDA: Also Francesca Margherita, Francoise Marguerita. Later Mrs John Christopher Pepusch.c. 1680-17461708-1709; 1709-1710; 1711-1712; 1712-1713; 1713-1714; 1714-1715
De MicheliLeopoldofl. 1761-17911764-65; 1766-67; 1767-68; 1768-69; 1772-73; 1776-77; 1777-78; 1779-80; 1780-81; 1781-82;
De MiraSignorafl. 1794-18001793-94; 1799-1800
De PaoliGaetanofl. 17951794-95LIS omits this libretto, but gives nothing for the relevant period.
De RossennawNinettafl. 1754-17551754-55
Del BeneAdriananée Gabrielli. Also as Signora Luigi Del Bene. Stage name: Ferrarese del Bene. 1759-after 18031784-85; 1785-86BDA: b. c. 1755.
Del ZancaMichelefl. 1751-17801770-71BDA: no record.
DelicatiLuigifl. 17891788-89
DelicatiMarheritaBDA: Also Signora Luigi Delicati. fl. 1786-18001788-89
DemenaMariannaAlso Demini.fl. 1770-17901770-71BDA only has an entry for 'Demera, Signora. fl. 1771'.
DennisMrsfl. 17201719-1720
DixonClara AnnaAnn; BDA: Also Signora Clara. Later Mrs Smith, then Mrs Sterling.fl. 1795-18221799-1800BDA: 'Announced as 'A Young Lady' making her first appearance on any stage, she played Beda in Blue Beard at Drury Lane on 15 April 1799, ... The European Magazine (April 1799) identified her as Miss Dixon.'
DottiAnnafl. 1708-17281724-25; 1725-26; 1726-27BDA also states performances in 1727.
Du ParcELISabettaFrancesina, BDA: Stage name: La Francesina.fl. 1731-1738; d. 17781736-37; 1737-38
DurastantiMargheritaAlso as Durastante. BDA: Also Signora Casimiro Avelloni.fl. 1700-17341720-21; 1722-23; 1723-24; 1724-25; 1732-33; 1733-34BDA: b .c. 1685. BDA: married Casimiro Avelloni, but 'she employed her maiden name in her professional affairs throughout her career.'
EberardiTeresaBDA: also, incorrectly, Eleardi.fl. 1758-17701760-61; 1761-62
EdwardsMrs1782-18061740-41
ELISiFilippoc. 1724-c. 17751760-61; 1761-62; 1765-66
FabrizziOrsolaBDA: also Fabbrizzi.fl. 1776-18001796-97
FabriAnnibale Pio Also as Fabbri. Stage name: Balino. BDA: Il Bolognese1697-17601729-30; 1730-31
FainiAnna Maria fl. 1719-17541736-37
Farinellafl. 1772-17751774-75See Camati
FarneseLuiggiafl. 1775-17831776-77
FarneseMariannafl. 1776-17841776-77BDA: no record
FergusonMrsnée Vincentfl. 1788-17991789-90
FerraraseSee Adriana Del Bene fl. 1780-1799Her role as Venus in the single performance of Venere e Adone is her only recorded role for the Italian Opera.
FineschiVincenzofl. 1775-18001787-88; 1788-89
FochettiVincenzofl. 1765-17871773-74; 1774-75; 1775-76
ForlivesiGiuseppefl. 1784-17931787-88; 1788-89
FranchiAngelofl. 1765-17951782-83; 1784-85
FrasiGiuliafl. 1740-c17721743-44; 1745-46; 1746-47;1747-48; 1748-49; 1749-50; 1750-51; 1753-54; 1754-55; 1755-56; 1757-58BDA: 'In the fall of 1742 she joined the opera company at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, ...'
FratesantiCesarefl. 1735-17491743-44
FrederickCassandraBDA: Later Mrs Thomas Wynnec. 1741-after 17791758-1775BDA: b. c. 1744.
GabrielliCaterinia BDA: Caterina. BDA: Stage name: La Coghetta.1730-17961775-76
GabrielliFrancescafl. 1755-17821775-76
GalleratiCaterinia BDA: Catterina. Also Galeratri.fl. 1701-17211713-1714; 1714-1715;1720-21
GalliCaterina BDA: Ruini. 1719/24-18041742-43; 1747-48; 1750-51; 1773-74; 1774-75BDA: 1723-1804.
GardiSignorafl. 17731773-74
GarelliGiovannifl. 1791-17951788-89; 1790-91; 1791-92; 1792-93; 1793-94
GattoliniOdoardofl. 1774-17871786-87
GaudenziTeresafl. 1783-17851783-84
GherardiPietrofl. 1777-17901779-80; 1780-81
GherardiTeresab. c. 17651782-83
GhirettiGiacinta fl. 1765-17661765-66BDA: no record.
Giacomazzi Margaritafl. 1749-17501749-50; 1768-69
GibettiVisolettafl. 1766-17671766-67; 1767-68
GiordaniAntonianée Ambrosini? Signora Giuseppe Giordani.d. 17641753-54; 1755-56
GiordaniFrancescofl. 1753-17671753-54; 1755-56
GiordaniGiuseppefl. 1745-17641753-54; 1755-56
GiordaniMarinafl. 1753-1767?1753-54; 1755-56
GiordaniNicolinaStage name: La Spilettafl. 1753-17671753-54; 1755-56; 1774-75
GiordaniSignorafl. 17721771-72BDA: no record. Possibly Signora Tommaso Giordani, an unknown spouse of the composer of Artaserse, in which she sang Aminta, the only performance of hers recorded.
GiorgiRachele d’Ortanée d’Ortafl. 1766-18001784-85Rachele d’Orta is only recorded singing one role under her married name of Giorgi, that of Clorinda in Il Curioso Indiscreto.
GirardeauIsabellaBDA: née Calliari? fl. 1709-17121709-1710; 1710-1711; 1711-1712
Girelli AguilarMariaBDA: Antonia. Also Anguillar.fl.1752-17731772-73
GismondiCelesteBDA: Also Celeste Hempson, née Gismonde. Also Celestina. d. 17351732-33
GiulianiCeciliaBDA: née Bianchi.b. c, 1760-d. 1792 or later1787-88; 1788-89
GiustinelliGiuseppefl. 1751-17771762-63; 1763-64; 1768-69; 1769-70; 1770-71BDA: 'Giustinelli was not heard from again until 5 February 1768 when he sang in The Cure of Saul at the King's Theatre.'
GordonAlexanderAs 'Alessandro britannico' in Naples in 1717 and 1718.c. 1692-1754?1719-20; 1722-23;
GrandisAnna Maria fl. 1751-17601756-57
GrasettiMariaBDA: Also Grassetti.fl. 17171716-1717
GrassiCeciliaBDA: later Mrs Johann Christian Bach. Also Miss Grass.b. c. 1740- after May 17821769-70; 1771-72
GrassiLuigifl. 1767-17891766-67; 1767-68BDA: no record.
GrazianiClementinafl. 1788-17891788-89
GrimaldiNicoloStage name: Nicolini. Nicolino Grimaldi. BDA: Also Nicolò, Nicola.1673-17321708-1709; 1709-1710; 1711-1712; 1714-1715; 1715-1716; 1716-1717
GronomanSybillaStage name: Signora Sybilla. BDA: later Mrs Thomas Pinto the first. BDA: Also Gronaman.fl. 1742-17481747-48
GuadagniGaetanoBDA: Also Guadanno.1728-17921748-49; 1749-50; 1750-51; 1754-55; 1769-70BDA: c. 1725-1792.
GuadagniLaviniaBDA: Stage name of Signora Felice Alessandri. Also: Guadini.fl. 1767?-17711766-67; 1767-68; 1768-69
GualandiAntonioStage name: Campioli. BDA: Also Guaxandi. fl. 1703-17381731-32
Guarducci TommasoBDA: Also Guarducci Toscano.c. 1720-d. after 17701766-67
GuglielmiAchiapatinée Achiapati. Also Lelia Guglielmi. BDA: Signora Pietro Guglielmi.fl. 1770-17721769-70; 1770-71; 1771-72; The role of Onoria in Ezio was the only role Lelia Guglielmi sang using the formation of her name she used on the Continent, Achiapati (or Acchiapati, or Acchiappati) Guglielmi.
GuglielmiLelianée Achiapati. Also Achiapati Guglielmi. BDA: Signora Pietro Guglielmi.fl. 1770-1772fl. 1770-1772
GugliettiFrancescofl. 17641763-64BDA: no record.
HempsonCelestenée Gismonde. Signora Celestina Hempson.fl. from 1732, d. 17351732-33; 1733-34 See also Celeste Gismondi.
ImerMariannafl. 1738-17591745-46
InvisibileSignoraThe term 'Signor Invisibile' occurs only in the two printed versions of Lorenzo Da Ponte's L’isola del piacere, those of 1795 and 1801. Presumably meaning 'no cast member known'. In both cases, the role is Zelma, given in the two manuscript versions as ELISabetta Colombati and Stefania Rovedino respectively. 'Invisibile' has been given here as 'Signora', the gender of the role and setting being female.
JermoliGuglielmofl. 1768-17851777-78; 1778-79
JermoliBDA: Signora Guglielmofl. 1777-17791777-79
JozziGiuseppeb. c. 1710-d. c. 1770 or earlier 17451745-46
KellyMichael1762-18261788-89; 1792-93; 1794-95
LagardeSignorfl. 1720-17241719-20; 1720-21BDA: 'The singer Legar who performed in 1731 seems not to have been Signor Legarde but rather John Laguerre. The New Grove gives those Handel roles to Laguerre, but we have found no evidence to support his singing Italian operas.'
LaschiAnna Maria BDA: Signora Filippo Laschi. See also Querciolifl. 1737-17681748-49Grove (and derrivative sources) suggest that Laschi's maiden name was 'Querzoli' or 'Quercioli', and that she sang as 'Signora Quercioli' the London 1767-1768 season. This seems unlikely; her husband was engaged in Vienna during these years, and it seems probable she was with him.
LaschiFilippofl. 1739-17891748-49; 1749-50
LaurentiMariannafl. 1790-17951798-90
LawrenceMrfl. 1706-17181706-1707; 1707-1708; 1709-1710; 1713-1714; 1715-1716; 1716-1717
LazzariAntoniofl. 1752-17661755-56
LazzariniGustavoAlso Lazarini, Lazerinic. 1765 -c. 18011790-91; 1791-92
LebrunFranziskanée Danzi. BDA: Mme Ludwig August Lebrun.1756-17911779-80; 1780-81Le Brun in BDA. See also Francesca Danzi.
LeonardiPietrofl. 1755-1762 1761-62
LeveridgeRichard1670-17581706-1707; 1707-1708; 1712-1713
LindelheimJoanna Maria Stage name: The Baroness. BDA: Also Signora Joanna Maria (without surname)d. 17241707-1708; 1708-1709;
LindseyMaryBDA: Also Lyndsay, Lynsey.fl. 1697-1713 1708-1709; 1709-1710BDA: fl. 1697-1715?
LiniFrancesco fl. 1741-17541753-54
LippariniAgostinofl. 1759-18061790-91; 1791-92
LippariniGiuseppefigliofl. 1784-18001790-91; 1791-92
LodiStellafl. 1765-17821773-74
LorenziniCaterinafl. 1774-17981780-81; 1781-82
LottiniAntoniofl. 1717-17651736-37; 1737-38
LovattiniGiovannifl. 1753-17821766-67; 1767-68; 1768-89; 1769-70; 1770-71; 1771-72
LucianiDomenicofl. 1747-17711768-69
LusiniCaterinafl. 1779-17891783-84
MaccheriniGiuseppaBDA: later Signora Giovanni Ansani.fl. 1766-17911781-82BDA article about Giovanni Ansani states her as his wife.
MaczuraAlessandro Also: Alexanderfl. 17651765-66
MagalliDomenicoAlso: Maghaglifl. 1749-17601759-60Domenico Magalli's christian name, omitteed from BDA, X, 51, appears in the manscript libretto for Antigona for 1760, US-SM La 176. However, the printed libretto has the space left blank in the dramatis personae, US-Cn Y 134 .696. A similar space is left in the printed libretto for La Clemenza di Tito for 1760, but The Favourite Songs in La Clemenza di Tito (London: John Walsh, [1760]), 18, attributes Asbite’s aria, ‘Chi v’intende astri tiranni’ to ‘Sigr Maghagli,’ clearly Magalli: see Antigona, 1760.
MaggioreAngelicaAlso: Maggiorifl. 1766-17851766-67; 1767-68BDA: no record.
MajoranoGaetano Stage name: Cafarelli. Also: Caffarelli, Caffariello, Cafferielli. BDA: Maiorano.1710-17831737-38
ManciniRosafl. 1729-17441743-44
ManzuoliGiovanniStage name: Succianoccioli. BDA: Also Manzoli.c. 1720-17821764-65
MaraGertrudBDA: ELISabeth. née Schmeling. Mme Giovanni Battista.1749-18331785-86; 1786-87; 1789-90; 1790-91; 1792-93
MarchesiLuigiStage name: Marchesini1755-18291787-88; 1788-89; 1789-90
MarchesiniMaria Antonia Stage name: La Lucchesina. BDA: later Signora Jacopo Amiconi.fl. 1736-17391737-38;1738-39
MarchettiApolloniafl. 1769-17911773-74
MareschiAnnafl. 1753-17571756-57
MatteiCamillafl. 1753-17761754-55; 1755-56Thought to be the sister of Columba Mattei.
MatteiColombaBDA: Also [Signora Trombetta].fl. 1743-17781757-58; 1758-59; 1759-60; 1760-61; 1761-62BDA: 'Colomba Mattei was first noticed in London on 9 November 1754, singing Elpinice in L'Ipermestra in the first of 15 performances of the opera at the King's Theatre that season. She probably sang in several or all of the following pieces in the season's repertoire, ...' Also performances in 1755 and 1756.
MazziottiAntoniofl. 1753-17651763-64
MelliniEugeniafl. 1733-17551748-49; 1749-50;1754-55
MengozziBernardo1758-18001786-87
MerighiAntoniaBDA: Margherita. Also Signora Carlo Carlani.fl. 1711-1740; d. by 17641729-30; 1730-31; 1736-37; 1737-38
MillicoGiuseppe1737-18021772-73; 1773-74BDA: 1739-1802. BDA also notes performances in London in 1773 and 1774.
MingottiReginaBDA: née Valentini. Also Signora Pietro Mingotti. 1722-18081754-55; 1755-56; 1756-57; 1763-64
MonanniAngioloStage name: Manzolettoc. 1740-after 17961778-79; 1779-80; 1780-81; 1781-82
MondiniIppolitafl. 1747-17561754-55; 1755-56
MonsaSignorafl. 17411740-41Signora Monsa's single role was as Nerea in Deidemia in 1741. No record in BDA.
MontagnanaAntoniofl. 1730-17501731-32; 1732-33; 1733-34; 1734-35; 1735-36; 1736-37; 1737-38
MonticelliAngelo MariaBDA: Also Montevolli.c. 1712-?17581741-42; 1742-43; 1743-44; 1745-46BDA: c. 1710 - 1764?
MontierThomasMountierfl. 1719-17401732-33
MorelliGiovannifl. 1770-18151787-88; 1788-89; 1790-91; 1791-92; 1793-94; 1794-95; 1795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1798-99; 1799-1800; 1800-1801
MorettiGuistinafl. 1747-17541748-49; 1749-50 Probably the same singer as Giustina Amoretti. BDA refers to Giustina Amoretti.
MorichelliAnnaBDA: née Boselloc. 1750-1755-18001793-94; 1794-95BDA: '...was 'geboren Bosello' in fl.rence in 1759 according to the Katalog der Portrat-Sammlung der K. V. K. General Intendanz der K. K. Hoftheater (Vienna, 1892-94).'
MorigiAndreafl. 1760-17931766-67; 1767-68; 1768-69; 1769-70; 1770-71; 1771-72; 1781-82; 1782-83; 1785-86; 1786-87; 1787-88
MorigiMargheritafl. 1778-17901781-82; 1782-83; 1785-86
MoserFrancescofl. 1759-17691767-68
MoserMariannafl. 1756-17691766-67BDA: no record.
MussiniNatalefl. 1786-17961789-90
N. N.Signor and Signora[]1775-76; 1781-82; 1783-84; 1786-87; 1794-95; 1796-97The term 'N. N.' is used throughout the century to mean the equivalent of 'Not Known'. It occurs on occasion in the Larpent manuscripts, but is then later replaced by a cast member in the printed source. In Larpent 1164, it appears in place of character against the singer Giovanna Pastorelli in Nina; o sia, La pazza per amore. When not given, the gender of the singer expected to sing the role can be identified by its position in the dramatis personae. BDA, X, 411 invents spurious entries for a 'Sig. N. N.' and a 'Mons N. N.'
NegriMaria CaterinaBDA: Bassi. Also Caterina Maria Negri, Caterina Bassi Negri. fl. 1719-17881733-34; 1734-35; 1736-37BDA: fl. 1720? - 1754?
NegriMaria Rosa BDA: later Rosa Negri Risack.c. 1715-17601733-34; 1734-35; 1736-37BDA: c. 1705-1760. 'was born about 1715, according to the New Grove, but that must be an error for 1705.'
NegriTeresafl. 1791-1796?1791-92; 1793-94
NeriGaetanofl. 1786-18001789-90
NeriMichelangelofl. 1771-17961794-95
NoniniSignorfl. 17821781-82
OnofreoGiuseppeBDA: Also Onofrio.fl. 1779, d. 17761775-76
PacchierottiGaspare1740-18211778-79; 1779-80; 1781-82; 1782-83; 1783-84; 1788-79; 1789-90; 1790-91
PaciniAndreaBDA: Stage name: Il Lucchesino. c. 1690-17641724-25
PaganiniMaria AngiolaBDA: Signora Carlo Paganini.fl. 1742 -17731760-61; 1761-62
PaganiniCarlofl. 1745 -17631760-61; 1761-62
PalmeriniGiovanni Battistafl. 1722-17391726-27; 1727-28
PanichiLuciaStage name: La Muscovita BDA: La Moscovita.fl. 1733-17421739-40; 1740-41; 1741-42
PasseriniChristinaBDA: Signora Giuseppe Passerini. fl. 1748-17761753-54; 1754-55; 1756-57
PassiniSignorAlso Pasini.fl. 1774-17751774-75
PastorelliGiovannaBDA: Also Anna. fl. 1785, d. 17991793-94; 1794-95; 1795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1798-99BDA mentions that she died as a widow, meaning she was married, but does not give her maiden name.
PazzagliaSalvatoreBDA: Also Pazzalia, Passagli.fl. 1753-17671755-56; 1756-57; 1757-58
PellegriniValerianoStage name: Valeriano. BDA: Also Pelegrini.c. 1663-17461712-1713
PeraltaSignorafl. 1756-1760?1755-56
PerettiNicolòfl. 1746-17821763-64
PerticiCaterina née Brodi. Signora Pietro Pertici.fl. 1737-17581748-49BDA does not mention her maiden name, and lists Signora Pietro with a ?.
PerticiPietroc. 1700-17681748-49
PiattiLorenzofl. 1763-17891769-70
PiattiMaria Teresafl. 1762-17921766-67; 1767-68; 1769-70
PieltainMarie née Chanu. Madame Dieudonné-Pascal Pieltain. BDA: Also Chenu, Schanu.fl. 1789, d. 17931788-89
PinacciGiovanni Battista 1694/5-17501731-32
PirkerMariannefl. 1736-17561746-47; 1747-48BDA: only 'Pirker, Signora'
PolloneClaraBDA: Also Pollare, Pollore.fl. 1779-17871782-83; 1784-85
PompeatiTeresaNée Imer. Also CorneLIS, Cornelles, Cornelys, Corneli, and Cornelius. Also Signora Pompeati.1723-17971745-46 See also Teresa Cornelys.
PonceClarafl. 17671766-67BDA: 'Signora Ponce'.
PotenzaPasqualec. 1730-after 17971757-59
PozziAnnaBDA: Signora Antonio Pozzi.fl. 1778-17931775-76; 1778-79; 1779-80; 1792-93BDA: fl. 1776-1793. BDA records 1779/80 as 'her last full London season'. It is possible that her single appearance in the printed libretto of Le nozze di Dorina is a misprint for the equally mysterious Signora D'Amira who is listed in the ms libretto as singing the role.
PrudomMariafl. 1776, d. 17831776-77; 1777-78; 1779-80; 1780-81; 1781-82
QuercioliAnna Maria See also Laschi.fl. 1737-17681766-67; 1767-68Grove (and derrivative sources) suggest that Anna Maria Laschi's maiden name was 'Querzoli' or 'Quercioli', and that she sang as 'Signora Quercioli' the London 1767-1768 season. This seems unlikely; her husband was engaged in Vienna during these years, and it seems probable she was with him. BDA: fl. 1766-1768. 'Though she seems not to have been mentioned in any bills in 1766-67, Dr Burney noted that Signora Quercioli was a member of the burletta company at the King's Theatre that season.'
QuiliciGaetano fl. 1741-17661754-55; 1758-59; 1759-60; 1760-61; 1762-63
RamondonLittletonBDA: Christian name also Lewis, Louis.1684-1715/181708-1709; 1709-1710BDA: d. c. 1720.
RanieriNicolafl. 1746-17541753-54
RauzziniVenanzio1746-18101774-75; 1775-76; 1776-77; 1783-84
ReginelliNicolaBDA: Also Regnelli.b. c. 1696, fl. 17501746-47; 1747-48
ReinholdHenry TheodoreBDA: Also Thomas Reinhold.c. 1690-17511736-37; 1737-38; 1738-39BDA: 'Henry Theodore Reinhold was born in Dresden about 1690, according to Winton Dean in the New Grove. But all earlier notices, including that in Grove (fifth edition), and in Dean's Handel's Dramatic Oratorios, had called him Thomas Reinhold.'; 'Otto Deutsch in his Handel conjectures that Reinhold sang either Abinoam or the Chief Priest of the Israelites in Deborah at the King's Theatre on 2 April 1734.'
RicciarelliGiuseppefl. 1738-17631754-55; 1755-56; 1756-57
RiemenschneiderGiovanni Goffreddo Riemschneider. BDA: Also Johann Gottfried Riemschneider.fl. c. 1720-after 17391729-30BDA: died 1740?
RistoriniCaterina fl. 1757-?17851770-71 BDA: only 'Signora Ristorini'.
RistoriniGiovannifl. 1757-17821770-71; 1771-72; 1772-73BDA: only 'Signor Ristorini'.
RobinsonAnastasiaLater: Anastasia Mordant. BDA: Mordaunt, Countess of Peterborough and Monmouthd. 17551713-1714; 1714-1715; 1715-1716; 1716-1717; 1719-1720; 1720-21; 1722-23; 1723-24; 1726-27BDA: c. 1692-1755.
RobinsonAnn TurnerBDA: née Turner. Mrs John the first.1714, d. 17411719-1720BDA: 'Ann was usually cited in bills as Mrs Turner Robinson.' BDA notes that she did not perform between 1720 and 1725 (except one concert 1723), in order to 'raise a family'. 'After the 1726-27 season she again disappeared from the stage' except two concerts in 1729. Then again in 1732.
RocchettiGaetano FilippoBDA: Also Rochitty, Rachali.fl. 1724-17511733-34; 1738-39
RomaniCostanzafl. 1752-17711770-71BDA: 'Signora Romani'.
RoncagliaFrancescoc. 1750-after 18121777-78; 1779-80; 1780-81
RosaLaurafl. 1758-17771758-59; 1759-60
RosselliAgrippinoBDA: Roselli.fl. 1774-18001793-94; 1795-96; 1799-1800
RossiAntonioBDA: Also Rosse.fl. 1756-17911777-78; 1778-79
RovedinoCarlofl. 1777, d. c. 18231776-77; 1777-78; 1778-79; 1779-80; 1793-94; 1794-95; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1800-1801
RovedinoStefaniaLater: Mrs Charles Weichsel. BDA: Also Weichsell.b. 17821798-99; 1799-1800
RubinelliGiovanni Maria BDA: Giovanni Battista1753-18291785-86; 1786-87
SaizAngelicaSee Sayz
SalaAnnafl. 1786-17931785-86
Salimbeni GiovannaAlso Salimbini.fl. 1789-17971790-91; 1796-97
SalpietroAnnaSignora Giovannifl. 1767-17821778-79; 1781-82
SalvaiMaria Maddalenafl. 1711-17371720-21; 1721-22; 1726-27
SampieriNicolafl. 1780-18001780-81BDA: 'Nicola?' The performance in 1780 only lists 'Signor Sampieri', and it is uncertain if this was Nicola Sampieri.
SartoriAngiolafl. 1749-17661761-62; 1763-64
SavageWilliam1720-17891734-35; 1736-37; 1737-38
SavoiGaspareBDA: Also Savoy.fl. 1758-17921765-66; 1766-67; 1767-68; 1769-70; 1770-71; 1771-72; 1772-73; 1775-76; 1776-77
SayzAngelicaAlso Saiz.fl. 1743-17691748-49BDA, XIII, 176, lists her (and a Signor Saiz, her husband presumably) as working in London this season. However, her name is spelt 'Sayz' in each of the librettos in which it appears.
ScalziCarlofl. 1718-17391733-34BDA: b. c. 1695.
SchiavonettiElizabetta née Pilotti, BDA: Signora Giovanni Schiavonetti. Stage name: Elizabetta Pilotti, the Pilotti. Also Signora Pilotta, Mrs Pollett, Pilotta Schiavonetta.fl. from 1711, d. 17421710-1711; 1711-1712; 1712-1713; 1714-1715; 1715-1716
SchindlerinCatherineBDA: Also Catharine. fl. 1774-17761774-75; 1775-76
SchinottiSignorfl. 1782-17861782-83; 1783-84; 1785-86
SchinottiTeresafl. 1779-17941783-84; 1784-85; 1786-87; 1787-88; 1790-91; 1791-92; 1793-94
SchiroliSignorBDA: Also Shirolli, Sheroli.fl. 1765-17851773-74; 1782-83
ScottiTeresafl. 1753-17831764-65; 1765-66
ScovelliGaetanofl. 1767-17951782-83
SegantiniLiviaBDA: 'Laura? Livia?'fl. 1746-17701762-63BDA: 'The London Stage lists Laura Segantini as a singer at the King's Theatre in 1762-63, but the one time she is named in the bills, ..., she is called Livia Segantini.'
SegattiMariafl. 1733-17381733-34; 1734-35
SerafiniPietroBDA: Also Serasini.fl. 1743-17961753-54
SestiniGiovannaBDA: Signora Vincenzio Sestini. Also Sestrini.fl. 1763-17911774-75; 1775-76; 1778-79; 1780-81; 1781-82; 1786-87; 1787-88; 1788-89; 1789-90
SestiniVincenzioBDA: Also Cestini, Servini.fl. 1774-18001773-74; 1774-75; 1775-76
SimonettiLodovicofl. 1784-17981785-86
SirmenMaddalena LauraBDA: Signora Ludovico Sirmen, née Lombardini. Also Sireman, Syrmen, Lombardini-Sirmen.1745-18181772-73BDA: b. 1735.
SorbelloniPietroBDA: Also Giovanni.fl. 1760-17611760-61
SorosiniBenedettaBDA: Also Sorosina.fl. 1722-17321724-25
SpagnoliClementina BDA: Also Spagnolla.c. 1735-after 17781765-66
StoraceAnn SelinaStage name: Nancy. BDA: Also Anna. Later Mrs John Abraham Fisher the second.1765-18171775-76; 1776-77; 1787-88; 1788-89; 1789-90; 1792-93; 1796-97
Strada del PòAnnaBDA: Maria. Signora Aurelio.fl. 1719-17411729-30; 1730-31; 1731-32; 1732-33; 1733-34; 1734-35; 1735-36; 1736-37BDA records her as Anna Maria. It seems Strada was her maiden name, her husband was Aurelio del Pò.
StradiottiGiovannafl. 17141714-1715In BDA only 'Signora Stradiotti'.
TascaLuigifl. 1784-17911783-84; 1784-85; 1785-86
TascoSantaStage name: 'La Santina', or 'La Santini'. BDA: Also Tasca.?fl. 1703-1741, d.17591735-36
TedeschiFaustinafl. 1741-17651741-42
Tedeschini KoerbitzChristianofl. 1755-17611754-55; 1760-61
TenducciGiusto FerdinandoStage name: Senesino. c. 1735-17901758-59; 1759-60; 1764-65; 1770-71; 1784-85BDA: 'was born in Siena. He was therefore sometimes called 'Senesino', leading to occasional confusion with the earlier and greater Sienese singer Francesco Bernardi ..., who went always under that designation.'
ThirettiSignorafl. 1765-661765-66BDA: No record
TodiLuigianée Aguilar. Signora Francesco Saverio Todi. Also Luísa and Luíza. BDA: Luiza Rosa, née Aguiar.1753-18331777-78
ToftsCatherineBDA: later Mrs Joseph Smith.fl. from 1707, d. 17561706-1707; 1707-1708; 1708-1709BDA: 1685?-1756.
TognoniMaddelenaLater Maddelena Tognoni Berardi (see World Cat Indentities). Her husband may well have been the dancer Signor Berardi (fl. 1763-1764), who danced at Drury Lane for the 1763-1764 and 1764-1765 seasons. BDA: Tagnoni, Madelena. Also: Tognioni. fl. 1764-17651763-64In librettos for London, her name appears only in the 1764 libretto for Enea, e Lavinia, a single copy of which survives at US-SFsc ML50.2.E64 S32 1764 (and which is not in the ESTC), and in the 1764 libretto for Senocrita, US-SM La 234 and US-SM 308815. Otherwise, she appears listed only in the libretto for Davide Perez's A Semiramis reconhecida, published in LISbon in 1765.
TolveFrancescofl. 1725-17651736-37
Torregiani Signor H.fl. 1790-17951789-90; 1793-94; 1794-95BDA: No record.
TorriggianiPaolofl. 1780-17951788-89BDA: No record.
TrebbiGiuseppefl. 1767-17821775-76; 1776-77; 1779-80; 1780-81
TriulziGiovanniAlso Trivulziofl. 1746-17471746-47
UrbaniValentinoStage name: Valentinifl. 1690-17221706-1707; 1707-1708; 1708-1709; 1709-1710; 1710-1711; 1711-1712; 1712-1713; 1713-1714
UttiniVincenzofl. 1762-17921783-84
ValsecchiMariannaBDA: Also Volsecchi, Valesecchi.fl. 1758-17761762-63
VicoDianafl. 1707-17321714-15; 1715-1716
ViganoniGiuseppefl. from 1777, d. 18231781-82; 1782-83; 1795-96; 1796-97; 1797-98; 1798-99; 1799-1800; 1800-1801
VinciMarianafl. 1790-18011800-1801BDA: No record.
ViscontiCaterinafl. 1728-17561741-42; 1742-43; 1743-44; 1753-54BDA: fl. 1741-1766. Season dates: 1741/42, 42/43, 43/44, 1754, 1766.
ViscontiGiuliafl. 1764-17651765-66BDA: No record.
VivianiElena Croce fl. 1698-17201715-1716
WaltzGustavusBDA: Also Walz.fl. 1732-17591733-34; 1734-35; 1735-36; 1738-39
Webbe juniorSamuelsenior BDA: Also Webb.1768-18431784-85
Webbe seniorSamuel1740-18161773-74; 1784-85
WheelerElizaLater Mrs Francis Molloy, then Mrs Cotter. Later stage name: Mrs Murray.fl. from 1780, d. 17941784-85; 1785-86
WrightMrsfl. 1727-17501727-28BDA: Liofe dates fl. 1727-1755?. 'The New Grove ... suggests that the soprano Mrs Wright was born around 1705 tp 1710 and died perhaps in 1750, but we have found no solid evidence of her birth and death dates and think she may have been alive as late as 1755.'
YoungCeciliaLater Mrs Thomas Arne.1712-17891734-35See also Cecilia Arne.
YoungEstherLater Mrs Charles Jones.d. 17951764-65
YoungPollyMary, Maria. Later Mrs François-Hippolyte Barthélemon.1749-17991764-65; 1765-66; 1766-67See also Maria Barthélemon.
ZamperiniGiandomenicofl. 1761-17991766-67
ZamperiniAnna Maria BDA: Signora Giandomenico.fl. 1761-17991766-67; 1769-70
ZamperiniMaria Antoniafl. 1752-17771766-67; 1769-70
ZamperiniMaria Vittoriab. c. 1752?; fl. 1761-17681766-67
ZanoniAngelo MariaZannonifl. 1710–17321714-1715
ZingoniGiovanni BattistaSingoni, Zingone1718/20-18111762-63
ZoncaGiovanni Battista Zonka, Zonga1728-18091761-62