A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Barbaja, Domenico

by Carl Ferdinand Pohl

BARBAJA, Domenico, born 1778 at Milan, of poor parentage; was successively waiter at a coffee-house on the Piazza, manager of an English riding-circus, lessee of the Cucagna playhouse at Naples, and director of the San Carlo theatre. While at Naples he made the acquaintance of Count Gallenberg, the Austrian ambassador, followed him to Vienna in 1821, and obtained the direction of both the 'Kärnthner-thor' theatre and that 'auf der Wien,' which he held till 1828. He was the first to introduce a subscription into the Vienna theatres. During his management the company embraced the best talent of the day, including Mesdames Colbran-Rossini, Sontag, Esther Mombelli, Giuditta Grisi, Mainvielle-Fodor, Feron, Canticelli; Signori Donzelli, Cicimarra, Bassi, Tamburini, Rubini, David, Nozzari, Lablache, Ambrogi, Benedetti, and Botticelli. The ballet was sustained by Duport, Salvatore, and Taglioni. Though Barbaja introduced Rossini into Vienna, he by no means neglected German opera, and under his management Weber's 'Euryanthe' was produced Oct. 25, 1825 [App. p.530 "1823"]. He was at the same time manager of the two most celebrated opera-houses in Italy, La Scala at Milan, and San Carlo at Naples; not to mention some smaller operatic establishments also under his direction. Bellini's first opera, 'Bianca e Ferdinando,' was written for Barbaja and produced at Naples. His second opera, 'Il Pirata,' was also composed for Barbaja, and brought out at Milan. Several of Donizetti's works, and all Rossini's later works for the Italian stage, were first presented to the public by the famous impresario, who was destined one day himself to figure in an opera. Barbaja is at least introduced by name in 'La Sirène,' by Scribe and Auber. From his retirement till his death, Oct. 16, 1841, he resided on his property at Posilippo. He was very popular, and was followed to his grave by an immense concourse of people.

[ C. F. P. ]