Personalities | Luigi Lablache | Early Romantic | Opera

1794–1858, Italian

The Italian bass Luigi Lablache enjoyed a career lasting over 40 years. He possessed a magnificent, sonorous voice with a wide range, impressive stage presence and the ability to sing both comic and tragic roles, many of which he created. His repertoire was vast and included Figaro in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, King Henry VIII in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena and the title role in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. Lablache also sang leading roles in works by Bellini, Mercadante and Pacini, among others. The English opera house manager Benjamin Lumley described Lablache as ‘the greatest dramatic singer of our time’. Despite growing hugely fat, Lablache was physically strong and robust, and his voice was still fresh and powerful when he was 60. Royalty figured among Lablache’s numerous admirers, including Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Queen Victoria, and Franz Schubert (1797–1828) dedicated three Italian songs to him.

Introduction | Early Romantic | Opera
Personalities | Jenny Lind | Early Romantic | Opera

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.