A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Andreoni

by Julian Marshall

ANDREONI was an Italian singer engaged for the season of 1741 in London. He seems to have had an artificial low soprano or contralto voice, for his name appears to the song 'Let Hymen oft appear' in Handel's 'Allegro,' to which the composer has added in his MS. the words 'un tono più basso in sop^no,' meaning that it must be transposed for him. The song was probably sung by him in Italian, as a translation, beginning 'Se l'Imeneo fra noi verrà,' is added, as also to the song 'And ever against eating cares' ('E contro all' aspre cure'), which is given to the same singer. He had arrived too recently to be able to learn the language in time for the performance. He sang the contralto man's part in Handel's 'Imeneo' the same year, and in 'Deidamia,' that master's last opera. He does not seein to have gone with him, however, to Ireland; nor to have sung again in London. His subsequent history is not known.

[ J. M. ]