A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Belletti, Giovanni

by Julian Marshall

BELLETTI, Giovanni, the great barytone, was born in 1813 at Sarzana, a town in the Lunigiana, of respectable parents engaged in trade. While still a child, he showed a very strong inclination to music. Having an exceedingly delicate ear and a wonderful agility of voice, he soon began to repeat with his child's treble every operatic air that he heard. His father, being advised to cultivate his son's talent, placed him in the hands of a master in the neighbourhood, upon whose advice he soon after transferred him, at no small personal sacrifice, to the famous school at Bologna, over which the celebrated Pilotti presided. The latter took the greatest interest in the boy, and taught him counterpoint as well as singing. After five years of study, Belletti received his diploma. His voice was now settled as a barytone of the most beautiful quality and evenness, with marvellous facility of execution. Advised to try the stage, he hesitated for some time, until he met at Carrara a Swedish sculptor named Byström, who proposed to take him to Stockholm, free from all risk or expense, to lodge in his house, and make his debut; and, if unsuccessful, to send him back on the same terms to Italy. This generous offer he accepted, and arrived at Stockholm in 1837. Early the next year he appeared in the 'Barbiere,' and achieved his first success about a month earlier than Jenny Lind, with whose brilliant career he was so much connected afterwards. With her he sang in 'Lucia,' in 'Robert,' and others of Donizetti's and Meyerbeer's operas, translated into Swedish. To the influence of Jenny Lind, and to the critical taste of his first audience, as well as to the fine old school of singing in which he had been brought up, he owed the pure style and freedom from vulgarity which, more even than his noble voice, made him the greatest barytone of the century. When Jenny Lind left Stockholm for Paris, young Belletti returned to his native land: but when she came to London, Lumley, upon her urgent advice, soon persuaded him to come to sing with her again. In the meantime he had sung with great success at Florence and Leghorn, in operas of Rossini and Donizetti. In 1848 he made his first appearance at Her Majesty's Theatre in 'Ernani,' with Mlle. Cruvelli, and during that season sang at both the opera-houses. After singing with no less success at Paris, he was engaged, with Lind and Benedict, by Barnum, for a tour in the United States; during which he maintained his reputation, and contributed to the enthusiastic reception which the company obtained in America. Returned once more to London, Belletti remained there till the end of 62, singing not only at the Opera, but in classical concerts and oratorios, with undiminished success. Since that time he has retired, in the midst of the most brilliant career, without a sign of faded powers, to Sarzana, his native place, where he lives a life of seclusion, universally respected, and surrounded by his family and relations, with whom he shares the earnings of the years he spent in his profession.

[ J. M. ]