A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bolla, Signora

by Julian Marshall

BOLLA, Signora, an Italian prima buffa, who sang in London at the opera in 1794. She was a very pretty woman, and a 'pleasing, genteel actress,' who with a better voice would have been an excellent singer. She was very successful in Paisiello's 'Zingari,' and in 'Nina,' which latter she chose for her benefit, with spoken dialogue instead of recitative; but this was considered an infringement of the rights of the English theatres, and after a few nights it was stopped 'by authority.' In 1802 she was singing at Paris in opera buffa with Lazzarini and Strinasacchi.

[ J. M. ]