A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Francesina, La

by Julian Marshall

FRANCESINA, LA, Elizabeth Duparc, detta, a French singer, who sang for some years in Italy, where she acquired her sobriquet. In the autumn of 1736 she came to London, and 'had the honour to sing (with Merighi and Chimenti) before her majesty, the duke, the princesses, at Kensington, and met with a most gracious reception; after which the Francesina performed several dances to the entire satisfaction of the court.' (London Daily Post, Nov. 18.) The accomplishment of dancing, however, she does not seem to have kept up. Her name as a public singer is not found until Jan. 7, 1738, when she played Clotilda in Handel's 'Faramondo' on its first representation, the first part ever written for her by the great German. She seems to have had an easy, warbling, style of execution, which Burney calls 'lark-like,' and pleased both composer and public. La Francesina appeared again in Pescetti's 'Conquista del Vello d'Oro' and in Handel's 'Serse' that same year; and in 1739 she took part in 'Acis,' 'Saul,' 'Israel,' and 'Dryden's Ode.' In 1740 she reappeared in 'L'Allegro,' and in 'Imeneo' by the same composer; the latter 'advertised for Nov. 29, but deferred for near a fortnight, on account of the indisposition of Francesina.' (Burney.) On January 10, 1741, she sang in Handel's last opera 'Deidamia,' in which, according to Burney, 'Nascondi l'usignol, which finishes the first act is a light, airy, pleasing movement, suited to the active throat of the Francesina.' In 1744 and 45 she took part in Handel's 'Joseph,' 'Belshazzar,' and 'Hercules'; she had quitted the stage, 'but constantly attached herself to Handel, and was first woman in his oratorios for many years.' (Burney.) She enjoys the doubtful honour of having sung the four Italian songs which Handel was compelled to 'intermix' in 'Israel in Egypt' in 1739, to carry it over a third performance. In 1737 her portrait was engraved by J. Faber in mezzotint from a painting by George Knapton. It is a half-length, and represents a pleasant, intelligent woman; she holds a book, on a page of which are the words, 'Ua sei amabile speranza,' the beginning, probably, of one of her favourite songs.

[ J. M. ]