Catalani, ANGELICA

Catalani, ANGELICA, an Italian singer, born in 1779 at Sinigaglia, near Ancona, was educated in the convent of Sta Lucia, near Rome, where, in her seventh year, she displayed such wonderful vocal powers that strangers flocked from all quarters to hear her. She made her début at Venice in 1797, and experienced a succession of triumphs in every country in Europe for upwards of thirty years, making vast sums of money—e.g. nearly £10,000 during a four months' engagement in London. The Italian Opera in Paris was twice under her direction; but her husband's interference and extravagance brought her into much trouble. Her large queenly person and fine countenance, the immense volume, range, and flexibility of her voice, her power of sustaining her notes, in contrast with the lightness and facility of her unerring execution, everywhere took her audience by storm. Her expression, although fine, and her whole style, surprised rather than touched the heart. She retired from the stage in 1827, and three years later purchased a villa near Florence, where she gave free instruction to girls who had a talent for singing. In 1849 she repaired with her daughters to Paris, where she died of cholera on the 13th of June.