Annibale Pio Fabri Italian singer and composer of the 18th century Country: Portugal

1. Biography of Annibale Pio Fabri
2. Early Career
3. Operatic Successes
4. London and Vienna
5. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Annibale Pio Fabri

Annibale Pio Fabri, also known as Balino, was an Italian singer and composer of the 18th century. Born in 1697 in Bologna and died on August 12, 1760, in Lisbon, Fabri was one of the leading tenors of his time, a time when castrati singers dominated the operatic stage and concert halls.

Early Career

Fabri's professional career began in 1711 in Rome, and over the next ten years, he performed in his hometown of Bologna, Venice, and Mantua. He faced tough competition from castrati singers but gained recognition for his connections with composer George Frideric Handel, often singing in Handel's operas. Balino was one of the many renowned students of composer, singer, and vocal pedagogue Francesco Pistocchi.

Operatic Successes

Among his numerous premieres, Fabri performed the lead role in Antonio Vivaldi's opera "L'incoronazione di Dario" on January 23, 1717, at the Teatro San Angelo in Venice. Around 1719, Annibale Pio Fabri joined the Bolognese Philharmonic Academy as an oratorio composer and achieved a prominent position among Italian singers of his generation during the 1720s. His repertoire expanded with works by Leonardo Vinci, Domenico Sarro, and Alessandro Scarlatti.

London and Vienna

In 1729, Fabri joined Handel's opera company in London for two seasons, debuting in "Lotario" and performing in premieres of "Partenope" and "Poro." He also participated in revivals of Handel's operas, such as "Giulio Cesare," "Tolomeo," "Rinaldo," "Rodelinda," and "Scipione," with Handel transposing the main role originally written for a castrato to suit Fabri's tenor voice. In 1731, Fabri left London and appeared in Vienna, where he was presented to Emperor Charles VI and became the godfather of one of the singer's sons the following year.

Later Years and Legacy

Fabri continued to perform throughout Europe and enjoyed significant success, including his appearances in three operas by Johann Adolph Hasse in Madrid from 1738 to 1739. He seemingly retired from the stage around 1750 and remained a member of the Royal Chapel in Lisbon until his death in 1760. One of his notable works during this period was an opera based on Pietro Metastasio's popular libretto, "Alessandro nell'Indie" (Alexander in India).