The British Musical Biography

[E] Lancia, Florence, soprano vocalist, born
in London, March 20, 1840. Of Irish descent
on her father's side. In 1856 she was taken
to Milan and received lessons for a few months
from Antonio Sangiovanni ; and, returning to
London, was instructed by Signer Brizzi,
through whose aid she secured an engagement
at Turin, making her debut, early in 1858, as
Rosina in " II Barbiere." She then toured
in opera and concerts in Ireland and Scotland,
and sang in the first series of Monday Popular
Concerts, January 3, 1859. In 1861 she was
articled for five years to Frank Mori, but
continued her public career. She first sang
in oratorio at Exeter Hall, January 22, 1862,
in Haydn's "Creation" ; and from that time
until 1874 was constantly before the public,
in opera and on the concert platform. She
appeared as prima donna in at least thirty
operas, including the chief works of Donizetti,
Bellini, Verdi, Balfe, Wallace, Benedict, Auber,
etc., and also in " Don Giovanni," " Der Freis-
chiitz," and " L'Africaine." She toured in
the provinces with her own opera company in
1867, etc. ; sang in opera at the Crystal Palace,
1872 ; at the Gaiety Theatre, etc. One of her
greatest triumphs was at the Norwich Festival
of 1872, when, at shortest notice, she added
to her own work, that allotted to INIlle. Titiens,
in "Elijah," and Benedict's "St. Peter," the
audience rising en masse to cheer her. After
her retirement in 1874, she sang for a few
years at Mr. Samuel Brandram's Shaksperean
recitals ; and now teaches the art in which
she had been so successful.

entry id: 237-R-43