Francesca Cuzzoni debuted as an operatic soprano in 1714 in her native Parma, performing in La virtù coronata, o Il Fernando. Her professional trajectory spanned the major European music centers of the eighteenth century, including notable residences in Venice, London, and Vienna, where her vocal capabilities established her as a primary figure within the Baroque operatic tradition.
Early Development and Italian Engagements
Born in 1696 to a violinist named Angelo, Cuzzoni received vocal instruction from Francesco Lanzi. By 1716, she was performing in Bologna, and within two years had secured the position of virtuosa da camera for Violante Beatrice, Grand Princess of Tuscany. Her early career saw performances across Florence, Siena, Genoa, and Mantua, featuring works by composers such as Pollarolo, Orlandini, and Vivaldi. Her 1718 Venetian debut featured a shared stage with Faustina Bordoni, a peer with whom her professional history would remain linked throughout her career.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Handel Years in London
Cuzzoni arrived in London in 1723, marking her King's Theatre debut as Teofane in Handel's Ottone. Despite friction with Handel regarding rehearsal practices, her performance in the aria "Falsa immagine" established her success in the capital. She became a key member of the Royal Academy of Music, where Handel composed nine roles for her, including Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare and the title role in Rodelinda. Her London tenure was characterized by high earnings, reaching £2000 per season, and intense public rivalry with Faustina Bordoni, which culminated in the 1727 disturbances during a performance of Bononcini's Astianatte.
Continental Transitions and Later Career
Following the 1728 closure of the Royal Academy, Cuzzoni performed in Vienna, Modena, and across various Italian cities including Naples and Piacenza. She returned to London in 1734 to join the Opera of the Nobility, performing works by Porpora and her husband, Pietro Giuseppe Sandoni. Although her later influence shifted following the emergence of Farinelli, she continued touring, with appearances in Florence, Turin, and Vienna. Her documented stage career concluded in Hamburg in 1740, prior to her death in Bologna in 1778.
Fast facts
- Born: 1696, Parma
- Died: 1778, Bologna
- Primary Occupation: Operatic soprano
- Citizenship: Duchy of Parma and Piacenza
- Spouse: Pietro Giuseppe Sandoni
- Notable London Debut: 12 January 1723
- Professional Rival: Faustina Bordoni
- Final Known Appearances: 1740, Hamburg
Questions readers ask
What was the nature of Cuzzoni's rivalry with Faustina Bordoni?
While their personal relationship was often subject to public speculation and print lampoons, the rivalry was largely driven by their respective supporters, leading to significant disturbances during opera performances in London.
Did Cuzzoni perform in operas composed by her husband?
Yes, she performed in operas composed by Pietro Giuseppe Sandoni, though she never performed under his name.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice
