Francesca Vanini-Boschi [SEP] voice type
Francesca Vanini-Boschi
Francesca Vanini-Boschi (died 1744) was an Italian contralto singer of the 18th century. She is best remembered for her association with the composer George Frideric Handel, for whom she sang both in Italy and in London.
Vanini was born in Bologna. As well as singing for Handel, she also sang in operas by Alessandro Scarlatti and Giovanni Bononcini. She frequently sang alongside her husband, the bass Giuseppe Maria Boschi. Her two Handel roles were those of Otho in "Agrippina" and
Goffredo in "Rinaldo"; these roles use only a limited range and tessitura. After "Rinaldo" her voice began to decline, but earlier Giuseppe Felice Tosi had praised her for her ability to introduce "Graces without transgressing against Time". She died in Venice.
References.
Winton Dean: "Vanini [Boschi], Francesca", "Grove Music Online" ed L. Macy (Accessed 5 December 2006), grovemusic.com, subscription access.