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Faustina BordoniItalian opera singer (mezzo-soprano)
Date of Birth: 30.03.1697
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Biography of Faustina Bordoni
Faustina Bordoni was an Italian opera singer (mezzo-soprano). She was born on March 30, 1697, in Venice, and grew up under the patronage of her brothers, Alessandro and Benedetto Marcello, who were aristocratic composers. She studied singing with another composer, Michelangelo Gasparini. After years of serving at the court of the Elector Palatine, she made her debut in Venice in 1716 in Carlo Francesco Pollarolo's opera "Ariodante". She performed in her hometown until 1725, singing operas by Albinoni, the Gasparini brothers, Giacomelli, Orlandini, Leonardo Vinci, and many others. In 1718 and 1719, Bordoni performed in Venice with soprano Francesca Cuzzoni, who later became her main rival. They were often referred to as the "Queens of Rivalry". She also performed in Reggio nell'Emilia, Naples, Parma, Milan, Modena, and Florence.
Rise to Fame and London Scandal
After her debut in Germany in 1723, Bordoni became one of the favorite singers in the region north of the Alps during the 1720s and also achieved great success in Vienna. She was called the "New Siren" and often simply referred to as Faustina. On May 5, 1726, she made her first appearance on the London stage, performing the role of Rossane in Handel's opera "Alessandro". Over the next two seasons, she shone in four more roles created by Handel: Alceste in "Admeto", Pulcheria in "Riccardo Primo", Emira in "Siroe", and Elisa in "Tolomeo". A personal and professional altercation with Cuzzoni during the performance of the opera "Astianatte" on June 6, 1727, led to a confrontation between their supporters, causing a riot in front of Princess Caroline. However, recent research has shown that the altercation between the two singers, who previously complemented each other, was exaggerated. It was actually their supporters who caused the disturbance by booing, making obscene gestures, and hurling insults. Unlike Cuzzoni, Bordoni never returned to England.
Later Career and Personal Life
From 1728 to 1732, Faustina achieved great success on the stages of major Italian cities, especially Venice. In 1730, she married German composer Johann Adolf Hasse, and the following year, they were invited to the court of Augustus the Strong in Dresden, where she enjoyed great success in Hasse's opera "Cleofide". The renowned librettist Metastasio called Johann and Faustina a "truly refined couple," although many found it strange that the 33-year-old singer married a man two years younger. Unlike her sister Laura, who married Tommaso Mickyletti at the age of 19 when he was 30, Faustina's marriage was considered quite normal at the time. Hasse remained at the Saxon court for over 30 years, and Faustina sang in the last 15 operas composed between 1734 and 1751. After retiring from the stage in 1751, Faustina embarked on a long journey through Italy, performing in Naples, Venice, Parma, and receiving a pension for some time. Due to difficulties caused by the Seven Years' War, the pension was later canceled. Thanks to the financial stability of her family, Faustina, her husband, and their two daughters were able to live near the Viennese court until 1772. After the death of August III in 1764, the Bordoni family moved to Vienna and settled in Venice a year later. In contrast to her rival Cuzzoni, who died in poverty, Bordoni thrived even in old age and led a happy life. Born for singing and acting, Faustina was the only one who could produce the same sound at an incredible speed that was impossible for others. On the other hand, she could sustain a note indefinitely.
