A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Galli, Filippo

by Julian Marshall

GALLI, Filippo, was born at Rome in 1783. Though destined for the clerical profession, young Galli's strong taste for music proved insurmountable. When only ten, he had developed a musical talent beyond his age, and was remarked as a player and accompanyist. His voice, when formed, was a fine tenor. At the age of 18 he married. Compelled by circumstances to choose a career, he selected that of Opera, and made his début, in the carnival of 1804, at Bologna. He met with a brilliant success, and became one of the first of Italian tenors; but six years afterwards a serious illness changed his voice completely, and made it a bass. Paisiello persuaded him to cultivate his new voice, and profit by the change. This he did, and became one of the greatest bassi cantanti that his country has produced. His first appearance in his new quality was in the carnival of 1812 at S. Mosè in Venice, in the 'Inganno Felice' of Rossini. He sang next at Milan, and then at Barcelona. Rossini wrote for him the parts of Fernando in 'La Gazza Ladra' and of 'Maometto.' Galli appeared for the first time at Paris, Sept. 18, 1821, in the former, and, though singing out of tune in the first act, achieved a considerable success on the whole. He returned to Paris in 1825, and made a great sensation: but his vocalisation had become rather slow and heavy. This defect was noticed when he came to London. Ebers engaged him with Zuchelli for the season of 1827, and his salary was fixed at £870. He made his first appearance, as usual, in 'La Gazza Ladra.' His voice was less flexible than Zuchelli's, but its tone was deep and full, and, according to Rossini, he was the only singer who ever filled the part of Assur satisfactorily. In 1828 Galli went to Spain; thence to Rome and Milan in 1830. In the following year he went to Mexico, and remained attached to the Opera in that city from 1832 to 1836. In 1839 and 40 he was singing at Barcelona and Milan, but was at length obliged to accept the place of chorus-master at Madrid and Lisbon. Amiable and cultivated, Galli had but one fault, that of boundless extravagance. At the end of 1842 he arrived at Paris in the greatest want, and, as a charity, obtained a professor's place at the Conservatoire. His chief income was derived from a yearly benefit concert, at which the Italian singers performed. Of this he was deprived in 1848. He then fell into great misery, and died June 3, 1853.

[ J. M. ]