Nancy Storace English opera singer (mezzo-soprano) Date of Birth: 27.10.1765 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Nancy Storace
2. Early Career in Italy
3. Success in Vienna
4. Return to England
5. European Tour and Retirement

Biography of Nancy Storace

Nancy Storace was an English opera singer of Italian descent. She was born into a musical family in London, with her father being an Italian musician. From a young age, she studied singing and started performing in concerts at the age of eight.

Early Career in Italy

In 1778, Storace moved to Italy, where she began singing at opera houses in Florence, Parma, Milan, and Venice. Her talent and skill as a mezzo-soprano quickly gained recognition, and she became a prominent figure in the operatic scene.

Success in Vienna

In 1783, Storace, along with Irish tenor Michael Kelly and Italian baritone Francesco Benucci, was invited to perform in Vienna. For the next four years, these three artists became central figures in the Austrian capital's opera scene. Storace notably became the first performer of the role of Susanna in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" (rumors had it that Mozart had a romantic involvement with Storace).

Return to England

In 1785, Storace temporarily lost her voice due to pregnancy. However, upon her return to the stage, her comeback was celebrated with a special song composed by Mozart and Antonio Salieri. She continued to perform in London, where she achieved great success in her brother's comedic operas and in Handel's oratorios.

European Tour and Retirement

From 1797 to 1801, Storace embarked on a European tour with her civil husband, tenor John Braham. At the beginning of the tour, they were arrested in France but later brought to Paris to perform for Napoleon. They continued their performances in Florence, Milan, Naples, Venice, and Vienna. In 1808, Storace decided to retire from her stage career.