Francheska Cuzzoni & Bordoni
ItalyBiography of Francesca Cuzzoni
Francesca Cuzzoni was an Italian soprano born in Parma. Her exact date of birth is uncertain, but it is believed to be around 1700. She came from a modest family, with her father being a violinist. Cuzzoni made her debut in her hometown in 1716 and went on to achieve increasing success in cities such as Bologna, Venice, and Siena. Despite her unattractive appearance and difficult temperament, she captivated audiences with her temperament, beautiful tone, and unmatched ability to perform adagios. In 1722, she received an invitation from the German composer George Frideric Handel to perform at the King's Theatre in London. Cuzzoni's journey to London was accompanied by the harpsichordist Pietro Giuseppe Sandoni, with whom she developed a romance and eventually married. Her London debut took place on January 12, 1723, in the world premiere of Handel's opera "Otto, King of Germany." Cuzzoni's success was triumphant, and her fanbase grew with each performance. Despite her scandalous behavior and stubbornness, Handel was determined to work with her, even resorting to physical force when she refused to perform an aria as he had instructed. Cuzzoni continued her career in various cities, including London and Venice, but faced financial difficulties and eventually died in poverty in Bologna in 1770.
Biography of Faustina Bordoni
Faustina Bordoni, born in a noble Venetian family, was an Italian mezzo-soprano. She received an excellent education and made a sensational debut in 1716 in Venice, performing in the world premiere of Carlo Francesco Pollarolo's opera "Ariodante." Bordoni quickly gained fame and conquered audiences in Florence, Naples, Rome, Bologna, and other Italian cities. Her talent and agility, mastery of coloratura, and clear diction were praised by her fans, who called her the "new siren." In 1723, she triumphantly toured Munich and from 1724 to 1726 received applause in Vienna. Her astronomical fees of 15,000 guilders per year were a testament to her popularity. After her successful performances in London, Bordoni continued to tour Paris and Milan before returning to Venice. In 1731, she married the German composer Johann Adolph Hasse, and the couple settled in Dresden, where Hasse served as the court kapellmeister. Bordoni's singing career thrived as she starred in her husband's operas, which brought them substantial wealth. After retiring from the stage in 1751, she dedicated herself to family and social responsibilities, raising five children. Bordoni and Hasse eventually moved to Vienna and later Venice, where she passed away in 1781.
