A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ansani, Giovanni
ANSANI, Giovanni, born at Rome about the middle of the 18th century, was one of the best tenors of Italy. In 1770 he was singing at Copenhagen. About 1780 he came to London, where he at once took the first place; but, being of a most quarrelsome temper, he threw up his engagement on account of squabbles with Roncaglia. He returned the next year with his wife, Maccherini, who did not succeed. He sang at Florence in 1784, at Rome the autumn of the same year, and elsewhere in Italy; and finally retired to Naples at the age of 50, where he devoted himself to teaching singing. He was still alive in 1815. He was a spirited actor, and had a full, finely-toned, and commanding voice. Dr. Burney says it was one of the sweetest yet most powerful tenors he ever heard; to which, according to Gervasoni, he added a very rare truth of intonation, great power of expression, and the most perfect method, both of producing the voice and of vocalisation. His wife had as bad a temper as himself, and they were, therefore, the most inharmonious couple. It is said that, when singing together in Italy, if one were more applauded than the other, the unsuccessful one would hire persons to hiss the more fortunate rival.
Ansani was known also as a composer of duets and trios for soprano and bass, with a basso-continuo. Gerber reports that an Opera of his composition, called 'La Vendetta di Minos,' was performed at Florence in 1791. The date of his death is not known.[ J. M. ]