Lablache, LUIGI

Lablache, LUIGI, operatic singer, was born in Naples on 6th December 1794; his father was a Frenchman, who had fled from Paris during the horrors of the Revolution, his mother an Irishwoman. His first engagement as a singer was at the San Carlino Theatre at Naples, in 1812. He afterwards sang with much success at Palermo (until 1820), at Milan, Rome, Turin, and Vienna; in the last-named city a medal was struck in his honour. From 1830 to 1852 he sang nearly every winter at Paris, and annually made visits to London, St Petersburg, and various cities in Germany. In London he was perhaps a greater favourite than even the wonderful Grisi. Lablache died at Naples on 23d January 1858. His voice, a deep bass, has hardly ever been equalled either in volume or quality; and his acting, particularly in the characters of Figaro, Don Bartolo, Don Pasquale, Leporello, &c., was almost as remarkable as his singing. He gave instruction in singing to Queen Victoria.