Giuseppe Francesco Bianchi (1752 – 27 November 1810) was an Italian
operacomposer. Born in
Cremona,
Lombardy, he studied with
Pasquale Cafaro and
Niccolò Jommelli, and worked mainly in London, Paris and in all the major Italian operatic centers of Venice, Naples, Rome, Milan, Turin, Florence.
Bianchi committed suicide in
Hammersmith, London, in 1810, probably out of family troubles.[1] He was buried alongside his daughter in the churchyard of the old Kensington Church, now
St Mary Abbots, Kensington.[2]
His widow published parts of his "theoretical work" in the Quarterly Music Review for 1820/1821.[3]
Private life
Bianchi married
Jane Jackson who was a well known singer. She had a continuing career after Bianchi's death, married
William Lacy and they performed for seven years at the court of Oudh.[4]
Converte Domine, 10 May 1779, Milan, Metropolitan Cathedral
Exalta Domine, 10 May 1779, Milan, Metropolitan Cathedral
Deus noster refugium con Gloria patri, 10 May 1779, Milan, Metropolitan Cathedral
Abraham et Isaac; Tres pueri hebrai; others
References
Notes
^Caruselli, Grande enciclopedia, vol. 1, article: "Bianchi, Francesco", p. 157. According to Highfill, Burnim, Langhans's Biographical Dictionary, the loss of his five-year-old sole daughter, occurred on 28 June 1807, was heavy on the musician's heart (article: "Bianchi, Francesco, composer, musician", p. 107)
(in Italian) Caruselli, Salvatore (ed.), Grande enciclopedia della musica lirica, Longanesi &C. Periodici S.p.A., Roma, vol. 4
Highfill, Jr., Philip H., Burnim, Kalman A., and Langhans, Edward A., A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800: v. 2, Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, 1973,
ISBN0-8093-0518-6